Not Enough

Chapter 10

"Are you really that bothered I'm here? You've never cared when I've stopped by before." Dark eyes paused, finally glancing down towards my chest. I crossed my arms tighter. "Zee?"

"This isn't a good time, Janis."

Another pause, the air tense between us. Her eyes took in my appearance once more, as if finally seeing me for the first time since she came into the penthouse. Her lips relaxed, forming an 'o' as realization seemed to hit her suddenly.

Chocolate eyes darted towards my bedroom before turning back to me, a brow raised. "Why? Do you...have someone over?"

I hated how curious she sounded, how fucking eager. My expression darkened.

"But you never bring them to your house." She dared another glance towards my room. "What's gotten into you, Zee?"

I took a shallow breath, hoping she would leave this alone. I needed her to leave. This was too close. Too damn risky. I wouldn't put Nunew in the middle of this. I couldn't. Not after last night. Not after everything that was said between us this morning. Our realization, our acceptance. The look he gave me when I finally said it. Lover.

I straightened. "It's none of your business."

Janis took a step away from me, circling around the island before pulling a barstool out to sit. Her purse jingled as she set it on the counter, her chin coming to rest in her hand as she stared at me intently, unwilling to drop the matter. "It is my business if this comes out. You promised to be careful."

"I am being careful." My voice was harsh.

She glanced another look at the bedroom and I could feel my anger start to boil over, knowing this situation was becoming more unstable as each moment went by. I wanted to yell at her to leave. I wanted to slam my first into something. I wanted to throw this fucking binder across the goddamn room. I took a ragged breath, trying desperately to calm myself down. How the fuck did my morning go from soft words and tempting lips to this—barely contained rage and a goddamn fiancée who didn't know when to leave a personal matter alone.

"Does he know?" She turned back towards me, a pointed look directed my way.

I glared, my arms finally uncrossing as I reached down to grasp at the ledge of the countertop. My knuckles whitened as they tightened against the stone. "It doesn't matter."

"So, he doesn't?"

My glare deepened at her sigh, her hand lowering from her chin as she sat up straighter. Her nails began to tap against the stone, dark brown eyes staring at me as she finally asked, "How serious is this, Zee? Is he a one-night stand or not?"

I opened my mouth to respond, ready to lie my ass off. Ready to say anything to get her to drop the subject. To make her think this was nothing. Just another hookup. Another need that had to be fulfilled by some stranger who didn't mean shit to me. It would be better if she thought that. She could understand, even if the situation was a little outside of the usual for me. She'd accept a one-night stand.

My words were caught as I heard shuffling. I froze, unable to speak as I watched Nunew slowly walk into the kitchen, a shy smile on his face, one of my button-up shirts almost completely covering a pair of shorts he wore underneath. Goddamnit, what the hell was he thinking? Also, why the fuck was the sight of him turning me on? I shifted, angry and uncomfortable, unsure of how I should react.

Nunew cleared his throat, glancing first at me before turning his gaze to Janis. His smile faltered.

"Um, hi."

God-fucking-damnit. Why didn't he listen? Had he heard our conversation? He didn't look angry. So why the hell was he out here? My knuckles burned as I grasped the countertop, trying desperately to not grab Nunew. To not toss him over my shoulder and lock him up in my bedroom for good.