Chapter 155
Effie let Lyman lead her out of the hotel, her hand tucked safely in his. The night air was cool, brushing against her skin and making her shiver. She couldn’t help but ask, “Weren’t you in the middle of a business dinner? What are you doing here? Did you finish up already?”
Lyman glanced sideways at her, his eyes dark and fathomless. “If I didn’t come now, my wife might have been whisked away by someone else.”
Effie blinked in surprise, then couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you actually jealous?” He didn’t hesitate. “Yeah. Jealous as hell.”
A warmth blossomed in her chest. Smiling, she slipped her arm through his. “Relax. No one could steal me away.”
He chuckled, lowering his head to murmur in her ear, voice teasing and low. “You’ll just have to prove that to me when we get home.”
Effie’s cheeks flamed. She gave him a gentle punch. “You’re impossible!”
As soon as they stepped into the house, Lyman pulled her into a fierce embrace, holding her so tightly Effie could barely breathe.
His voice was rough at her ear, his breath hot as it swept across her skin. Every inch of her broke out in goosebumps.
“Mrs. Etheridge, now’s your chance to prove it. I’m waiting.”
Lyman hadn’t expected to feel such a surge of jealousy at the sight of that man. Suddenly, he was gripped by a sharp sense of insecurity. Just thinking about the way that guy looked at Effie made him want to lose his mind.
“Let go of me first,” Effie protested, her voice soft and sweet.
He only tightened his hold. “Not until you tell me who was that man? One of your admirers?”
“No, he’s just a classmate,” Effie explained, sighing at his stubbornness.
Lyman buried his face in the crook of her neck, his voice muffled. “Mrs. Etheridge, I’ll believe whatever you say. Just don’t let me down.”
“I’m not lying, I swear.” Effie was exasperated. Was this man always this jealous?
Lyman finally loosened his grip, but kept his hands locked around her waist, refusing to let go entirely.
He fixed her with a burning gaze. “Then why did he look at you like that? Was there ever something between you two…?”
Effie let out a helpless sigh and cupped his face in her hands. “Mr. Etheridge, listen to me-Granger was just a friend from college, nothing more. And besides…” A sly glint flashed in her eyes. “Nita has a crush on him. I was just helping her out.”
Lyman’s tense expression softened a fraction, but his tone was still a little petulant. “Doesn’t matter. I don’t want him getting that close to you again.”
Effie burst out laughing. “Mr. Etheridge, is that an order?”
Lyman’s eyes darkened. Without warning, he scooped her up into his arms. “No, it’s a request from your husband.”
Effie shrieked, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck. “What are you doing? Put me down!”
“Not a chance.” Lyman strode toward the bedroom, his voice low and dangerous. “Didn’t you say you’d prove it to me?”
Effie’s cheeks burned as she muttered under her breath, “You’re so ridiculously possessive.”
He laid her gently on the bed, leaning over her until their noses almost touched. “Only when it comes to you.”
Then his lips crashed onto hers, and whatever protest she had died between their mouths.
The night stretched on, Lyman making it clear in every possible way just how deep his jealousy ran…
By morning, Effie was rubbing her sore back while shooting daggers at the very picture of contentment across from her. She grabbed a pillow and tossed it at him. “Lyman! You’re impossible!”
He caught it with ease, grinning as he leaned over to steal a kiss. “Mrs. Etheridge, consider it punishment for being so irresistible.”
Her eyes widened in outrage. “I was not!”
He nodded solemnly, though amusement danced in his eyes, his tone carrying a gentle warning. “You were. So from now on, you’d better behave-or I might just not let you out of bed at all.”