Hired Love

Roman's head snapped to her, and he instantly reached forward to her. Sidestepping him with a speed she didn't know she had, she held up a finger. "Really? Is this your definition of scouting the area, Roman?"

Her eyes darted to Claire and the resilient urge to smash her head against the wall arose. Stacy had never been violent, always choosing to take the cowardly way out but this, this was too much, even for her. "You should know that I'm embarrassed for you. I would slap your stupid bitch ass with a hardcore reality check in retaliation to your pathetic attempt to insult me but since you so clearly made yourself look like the fool that you are, I'd say the jokes on you." Claire's eyes also popped out of their sockets. Stacy had never spoken to her or to anyone like that before. She recovered quickly, a fake smile on her face. "Are you sure he loves you though? Because I think he enjoyed kissing me a little too much."

Stacy moved away from Roman towards her. "One day you'll go very far, and I hope you stay there."

Claire snorted. "Bitch please, you're as fake as the relationship you're in. Fiancé, really? You were head over heels for Matt. There's no way in hell you got a fiancé that quickly. What did you do, get pregnant and blame it on him?" Her eyes shone menacingly, and she took a step closer until they were only a hairsbreadth from each other. "Trapping a man to get him to marry you doesn't make him yours. It makes him miserable and you a pathetic bitch."

She was right. There was no way she could've gotten a fiancé that quickly. Stacy knew it, but she was too angry to back down. "I know I'm a bitch and I'm okay with that. Bitch trumps stupid motherfucker every time." Stacy shook her head, her eyes moving to the side and then back to Claire. "I'm so sorry you're so insecure with yourself that you constantly have to worry about every move I'm making. I hope you find peace though you don't deserve it." Claire's eyes turned cold, and she took a few steps back. She was angrier than Stacy had ever seen her, and she loved it. Her eyes could've frozen Stacy if it were possible. "You failed as a woman and now I'm enjoying your ex. The thought must be killing you."

She was baiting her, trying to get her to react, trying to see how much she could go. "That's funny. I kicked him in the curb, and he ended up in the gutter with you so why would I go back to my vomit?" Stacy laughed humorlessly, feeling good that she'd managed to shut her up.

"Don't be a bitch to me because I'm better at it than you are. Stay away from Roman, Claire. I won't say it again. The next thing that'll do the talking will be my palm against your cheek. Try me."

With that, she spun around and walked away, Roman hot on her heels. God, he'd kissed her. Was that why none of her relationships in the past had worked out? Because her older sister decided that she didn't deserve and sort out to ruin every iota of joy she had?

"Stacy," Roman called from behind, grabbing her hand. "Wait. Let me explain."

"Why?" She said a bit too sharply, making sure there was no one around before letting out her mind. "We're not actually engaged. So please, I beg you, don't bother with the theatrics."

"Just hold on one fucking moment-"

"I don't need your explanations, Roman." She snapped, snatching her hand back. She took a deep breath, avoiding his eyes. Those green orbs were easy to get lost in and that was that thing she wanted right now. "I don't need anything from you. Just play your part and I'll play mine."

She walked off but he seemed like he wasn't done. "Stop. Fucking. Running." He said each word through clenched teeth and grabbed her but not before she'd entered the living room. Wide eyes watched them in awe as he wrapped his arms around her firmly so she wouldn't move. "Do you understand how much I think about you? I can't get you out of my head."

Stacy didn't move, she couldn't. The only thing she could do was stare at him in disbelief. He had to be fibbing. He was only playing a part, just as she'd asked him to. A dangerous part it was too, seeing as she was finding it difficult to differentiate truth from lie. His words pulled at her heart, warming it. She liked him, Stacy realized. She liked him. It was why another rush of anger flooded her as the image of him kissing Claire entered her mind. "The answer's a bed." She called out, keeping her gaze on Roman. "Adults love it, but children hate it."

There was silence for a few moments. Stacy knew the given ten minutes was over and someone else would've probably guessed the answer but somehow she knew she had to say it. She knew she had to take a shot. "Well," Heather spoke up. "Since none of you was able to guess it right and even though the ten minutes is over, there has to be a winner. Stacy and Roman win."

They'd won. She almost smiled when she remembered that now they'd both have to be in a small tube, half naked. She didn't want to be around him. The betrayal was sharp. Men were all the same. Matt had fallen for her sister's charms and now Roman had too.

She didn't know why it hurt as much as it did, but it did. He must've read the pain in her eyes because he let go of her, backing away. She tore her eyes away so he wouldn't see the tears that were gathering.

Like as though her ass was aflame, Stacy ran for the door. She'd gone and done it.

She'd gone and liked Roman Reynolds.