Chapter 2

When Julia saw that name, she scrambled for the phone like a drowning person clutching at a lifeline.

Unfortunately, I was faster.

I snatched the phone up before she could reach it.

"What do you want?" I asked, playing dumb.

"Give it back," Julia snarled, her eyes bloodshot, looking like a beast backed into a corner.

"Give it back? So he can hear you?" I shook the phone slightly, pressed the button, and put it on speaker.

"Julia? Are you there?" The voice coming through the phone sounded panicked, wrapped in that classic self-important, indie-intellectual vibe.

"Why aren't you saying anything? Is he forcing you into something? It's okay, Julia. I love you, and I'll wait for you forever. Even if you married him, your soul is still mine," Charles said.

What a romantic speech. It was so touching.

I almost burst out laughing.

Julia's face went ghostly pale. She lunged at me like crazy, desperate to snatch the phone away. "Edward, you bastard. Hang up."

I trapped her easily with one arm, locking her down so she couldn't move an inch.

Her fighting back only made her silk robe slip open more, putting her breasts on full display.

I glanced down and let out a whistle. Then I cleared my throat and, with a smug tone, I spoke into the phone, "What do you want with my wife?"

The line went dead silent.

After what seemed like ages, Charles finally spoke, sounding shocked. "Edward?"

"Who else would it be?" I chuckled. "Calling my wife in the middle of the night, Mr. Lawson? That's inappropriate, don't you think?"

"Give the phone to Julia. I need to talk to her," Charles shrieked, totally losing his cool.

"She's a little tied up right now," I said, my voice dripping with mockery.

As I spoke, I pressed a loud kiss on Julia's neck, letting Charles hear it.

Julia stiffened up like a board, fresh tears of pure humiliation flooding her eyes.

She bit down hard on my shoulder.

"Ouch." I sucked in a breath through my teeth, but I didn't shove her off.

Instead, I laughed, feeling more amused. "Hear that, Mr. Lawson? My wife is in a real good mood. She's giving me a warm little welcome."

Charles was panting heavily into the phone like an angry bull on the verge of exploding. "Edward, you bastard. What the hell did you do to Julia?"

"What do you think?" I shot back, my voice dripping with sarcasm, like I'd heard the world's dumbest joke.

I said, "Mr. Lawson, Julia is my wife now. I'm in my own bedroom, with my own wife, doing what married couples do. What's your problem?"

"You—" Charles was so pissed that he couldn't finish his sentence.

Julia continued sinking her teeth into me with terrifying force, as though determined to tear the flesh straight from my bone.

I didn't care at all. If anything, the friction felt rather exhilarating.

Spicy little stray cat, huh?

I freed up a hand and gave her a firm pat on the hips. "Easy, baby. If you bite me too hard, how are we supposed to keep going tonight?"

My voice was loud enough for Charles to hear every word.

Julia froze, her jaw going slack as she released her grip.

I glanced at my shoulder. A bruised, blood-streaked imprint was left carved deep into my shoulder.

"Edward, you're a monster. You're taking advantage of her," Charles bellowed through the phone. "Julia doesn't love you at all. She loves me. You might have her body, but you will never have her soul."

Ugh, not this crap again.

I idly picked at my ear, already bored out of my mind.

"Is that so?" I looked down at the teary-eyed wreck in my arms and asked, "Babe, why don't you tell him yourself? Do you love me?"

Julia bit her lips, refusing to answer and glaring up at me with eyes steeped in pure venom.

"See? Silence means yes," I said shamelessly into the phone.

"Bullshit. Julia, say something. Tell him you love me." Charles was still yelling.

I sighed. "Mr. Lawson, you can keep lying to yourself, but you shouldn't disturb us. Only the fact matters. And the fact is, Julia is in my bed right now, while you're out there, calling me like some pathetic loser."

"Oh, by the way, is it raining out there?" I glanced out the window. "Listening to the raindrops while picturing your girl cuddled up in another guy's bed... Mr. Lawson, that must be some real misery, huh?"

"Edward, I'm gonna kill you." A shriek came through the speaker, followed by the sound of glass shattering everywhere.

I curled my lips.

Total loser meltdown.

I said, "Alright, I'm done wasting my breath on you. My wife's been up all night. She needs her rest."

With that, I hung up.

Then I tossed the phone aside like it was nothing but trash.