Chapter 2
“Hey, Stu. I thought you were doing a pickup,” Kester stated without flinching.
Stuart glanced from Kester to Ariel and back. “Seriously?”
Ariel refused to let him get to her. He could stuff his overprotective parent routine where the sun don’t shine.
Stuart looked like he was going to punch something, or someone.
“Seriously?” he repeated louder, his gaze on Kester. “I’m gone a few hours and you bring a girl to the apartment. Do you not realize how inappropriate this is?” He waved a hand back and forth between them.
Enough. Ariel jumped to her feet and planted her hands on her hips. “I am not a girl, Stuart. I’m a grown woman. I’m old enough to make my own decisions, thank you very much. There’s nothing inappropriate about me spending time with Kester, and I’m insulted by your implication.”
His brow furrowed. A vein bulged out on his forehead. “Implication? I don’t need to imply anything. I can see with my own eyes. The two of you alone in my apartment, making out on my couch like you’re in high school.”
Kester stood next to Ariel. He set a hand on her back. “Don’t be an asshole, Stu. This is my apartment too.”
Ariel was fuming. “I’ve never been to high school, but apparently I missed out if you spent your time there kissing.” She marched around the couch to face Stuart head-on. “Look, I don’t know what your problem is with me, but I’m tired of it. You can stop treating me like I’m twelve any day now.”
“Fine. Then stop acting like you’re twelve, Ariel.” He crossed his arms, his legs planted wide. “Make better choices. What would people think if they found out you were sneaking off to be alone with men?”
“Watch it, Stu… You’re crossing so many lines right now.” Kester came to Ariel’s side.
Ariel tried to stand taller, but at five-two it was tough to look tall next to these men who were both over six foot. “No one is sneaking anywhere, Stuart. And the only thing anyone would think if they saw me with Kester or any other man is that I like him. If I want to spend time alone with him, that’s my prerogative. If I want to kiss him in the living room he shares with you, also my prerogative. If I want to have sex with Kester right now in your apartment, I can also do that. Because. I’m. Not. Twelve,” she shouted through gritted teeth, fisting her hands and leaning into him.
Stuart lifted a hand and ran it through his messy brown hair in need of a cut. Or maybe it was sexy this way and she just wished he would cut it so he’d be less attractive. Right now she wanted to slap him and then drag Kester into his bedroom, slam the door, and get naked with him just to piss Stuart off further.
Kester didn’t say another word, which she appreciated. This was her battle. She needed to have this out with Stuart.
Suddenly, she spun toward Kester and glared at him. “Please tell me you didn’t set me up. If you knew Stuart was going to come home tonight, and you brought me here to get under his skin, I will never speak to you again.”
Stuart smirked, out loud. If that was a thing. She didn’t need to look at him to know it.
Kester’s eyes went wide and he held up both hands in defeat. “I didn’t know. I swear. Tell her.” He jerked his gaze to Stuart. “Tell her you were supposed to be gone tonight. Why are you back, anyway?”
Stuart smirked again and stepped around them, heading for the kitchen area to grab a water off the counter. He untwisted the top and drank about a third of it. “Hmm. Maybe it would be more fun if I let her think you set this up.”
“Don’t be a dick,” Kester responded.
Stuart lifted one brow. “But that’s my specialty. Being a dick. I bet I can get her to stomp out of here and stop talking to you. All I have to do is confirm what she’s suggesting. I feel so powerful.” He took another drink of water.
Ariel had never been so angry in her life.
Kester seethed. “Do you think if you chase her off, she’ll skip on home to the Schamas’ place like a good little girl and stop talking to boys? Do you think your only competition is me? I’ve got news for you, big guy, every unattached male living in this compound has their eye on her, starting with Tarin Gelman. You gonna stomp over to his place next and tell him to keep his hands to himself?”
Ariel took a step away from Kester and leaned against the wall. Her head was spinning.
Kester stepped closer to Stuart and set his hands on the back of the couch, leaning forward. “Wouldn’t it be easier to just admit you’re chasing everyone off because you like her too? We can all work with that. But this grumpy keep-your-hands-off-my-girl routine is annoying and getting old. Bow out and mind your own business or toss your hat into the ring.”
Ariel glanced back and forth between the two men. Kester had shown all his cards and then some. She held her breath, waiting to see how Stuart would respond.
When he didn’t speak for several moments, Ariel decided to. “I had a father, Stu. For nineteen years. He was amazing. One of the best. He loved me to pieces, and he raised me to know my own mind. He would not disapprove of anything that happened between me and Kester tonight. We talked. We held hands. Kester was a total gentleman at every moment. It was my idea to ask him to kiss me. And I’m not sorry. Don’t you dare imply that I’m some kind of slut who can’t keep her pants on and needs you to police everyone she speaks to. It’s insulting. You’re not my father. I don’t need another one. I don’t want another one. I’m a grown woman. I can and will decide when I have sex and with whom.”
Stuart finally ran a hand down his face in exhaustion. His shoulders dropped. “You’re right. I’ll butt out of it.” He turned around, shuffled into his room, and shut the door.
Ariel sucked in a breath. That hadn’t been the way she’d seen this confrontation ending. Not with Stu leaving the room in defeat. Shutting the door basically in her face.
Kester turned around and slowly came to Ariel. He reached out a hand when he was a few feet away, giving her the option to take it or not. Always a gentleman.