FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS (Ophelia Corrigan) novel Chapter 43

CHAPTER 43

MIE

I was perched on an uncomfortable plastic chair, my file folder pressed against my chest like a shield, while Simon signed the bail papers at the other end of the counter. His shirt was still stained with blood- Oliver’s blood-and a red scratch cut across his right jaw.

But he looked completely unbothered. Like getting arrested for assault was just another meeting.

“All set, Mr. Hart,” the officer said, pushing the documents back. “You’re free to go.”

Simon took the papers without a word of thanks, turned, and walked toward me with that arrogant stride knew all too well. He didn’t look at the other cops. Didn’t look at the staff still whispering in the corners. Just looked at me.

“Let’s go,” he said, brushing past me like I was a piece of furniture.

I got up and followed him out, my heels echoing on the tile hallway. The cold New York air hit me as we stepped outside, and I finally managed to breathe.

“Never do that again,” I said, my voice coming out louder than I intended.

He didn’t answer. Just kept walking toward the car, keys already in hand.

“Simon!” I grabbed his arm, forcing him to stop. “Did you hear me? I meant it. I want you to promise me you’ll never do that again. Never get into a fight because of me.”

His blue eyes met mine. For a moment, I thought he was going to agree. Say the words I needed to hear.

Instead, he opened the driver’s door and got in the car.

“Get in,” he said, and the door shut with a definitive click.

I stood there for a moment, heart pounding, blood boiling. Then, with a frustrated sigh, I walked around and climbed into the passenger seat.

The city blurred past in a wash of lights as he drove toward the Upper East Side. The silence between us was heavy, loaded with everything we weren’t saying.

“You had no right to do that,” I finally said, my voice calmer now. “I could have handled him. I was handling him.”

“Handling him?” He let out a short, bitter laugh. “Jamie, that guy had you cornered against your desk-” He stopped, jaw clenching.

“I know what he was doing. But I could have-”

“You shouldn’t have to handle that. Period. You shouldn’t even have to look at that asshole’s face.”

“Simon-”

“That piece of shit made you feel small for ten years. And still, you were standing there, taking that

14

29

O

G

10

1

15:28 Tue, Sep 29 MT.

FAKA DATING WITH BENEFITS MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS

garbage, letting him touch you.”

wasn’t letting>”

“I was not going to stand there while some bastard crossed every line with you. Not even your worthless ex.”

I pressed my hands together in my lap, lacing my fingers tight as I tried to steady my breathing. “You don’t get it. I don’t want you getting into fights for me, or getting in trouble for it. Enough has already happened The last thing I want is to be another reason you end up hurt.”

“And who said I care about that?”

“Simon-”

“I’d do it again. A thousand times.”

The car stopped at a red light, and I turned to face him. His profile was lit by the city lights, jaw tight, eyes fixed on the road.

“I think we should end this arrangement,” I said.

He didn’t move.

“What?”

“I know we agreed it was just sex. Just sex, no feelings, no expectations.” I swallowed hard. “But I think we’re getting too deep into each other’s lives. This isn’t just sex anymore. And I don’t want to-” I couldn’t finish.

Simon jerked the wheel suddenly.

My body slammed to the side, and I grabbed the door on instinct as the car swerved off the avenue and into a narrow, deserted alley.

“Simon, what the hell-”

He braked hard against the curb.

The car stopped.

My heart, no.

“Are you insane?” I turned to him, still shaken. “What the hell was that?”

Simon didn’t answer.

He gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles went white. For a long moment, he said nothing. Didn’t look at me. Just sat there in the dark, jaw locked, breathing heavy, like he was trying to contain something dangerously close to exploding.

“What did you say?” His voice was low.

“I said I think we should end this,” I repeated, my voice trembling slightly. “This arrangement. Before-”

24

TUE

29

O

G

10

O

15:28 Tue, Sep 291 MT

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify