All Chapters of PERFECT DEAL: HE WILL PROTECT ME FROM MY SCOUNDREL EX: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

ARNOLDWhen my creepy birthday performance is over and the stereo comes back on, my sister pulls Layla to the dance floor, and she goes willingly. Daphne and Ziggy join in and they all laugh as they dance around. Seeing them having a good time makes me crack a smile.At least someone should enjoy this party that’s been forced on me.As people continue to come up to me and talk my ear off, my eyes keep roaming back to Layla and her little pink dress. It’sgot long sleeves and dips low in the back and swishes around her knees. It’s far less revealing than the other women’s outfits tonight. Even still, it’s a heart-stopping departure from her usual jeans and sweaters. And she is hands down sexier than everyone else in this bar.After way too much useless chitchat, my social battery is completely drained. With a tired sigh, I collapse into my favorite booth in the back of the bar, cringing at the fact that my face is plastered on poster paper hanging above my head.I stare at Layla. I don’

ARNOLDAt the buttcrack of dawn, I’m driving my hungover ass up the winding mountain road back to my place. I’m groggy. My head feels cloudy. And my mouth tastes like a dead animal.Last night, after Layla disappeared from the bar, I was tempted to follow her straight out the door and call it a night myself.But Karli and my brothers had other plans for my birthday party, lining the bar up with shots and upping the peer pressure.I had a few drinks and ended up crashing in one of Darius’s many spare bedrooms.Now, I’m cursing myself for drinking on a weeknight. As everyone was happy to remind me last night, I’m no spring chicken anymore. I can’t party all night and still function like a human the next morning.But I also have bills and other financial responsibilities. So here I am, driving home to change out of yesterday’s clothes and get ready for work.To add to my early morning punishment, I’m currently on the phone with my mom—damn the time difference with Europe—and she’s going o

ARNOLDAfter getting Layla settled in my spare bedroom, I give her the day off and leave for work.She tried to argue. She begged to come in to the hardware store and just pretend it was a normal day. I think she was feeling the need to work for the small raise I just gave her, so she doesn’t feel indebted to anyone.But I wouldn’t budge.I could see how exhausted she was. She and Sky both need the rest today.And I need to put a little space between us.Because the protectiveness I’m feeling right now is too fierce. It’s too strong.I’m afraid I might do something stupid if I don’t get a moment to myself. I’ve already been making some pretty rash decisions in the past couple hours. Who knows what I would have done if we’d had to work together all day? Or worse, if I had decided to stay home and spend the day alone with Layla?I’m so worked up over this whole situation. I tell myself it’s just because I want to help her out. I want to keep her safe.But man, it’s getting harder and ha

ARNOLDA sense of satisfaction sweeps over me as I stack the last of the firewood in the outdoor shed and head back toward my house. I may be well stocked up for the winter but splitting a few logs before work is still my favorite way to start the day.I stroll into the living room, smiling to myself at the sight of Sky. He sits in the middle of the floor, watching his cartoons and making a loud racket.“Hey buddy,” I greet him.“Mista Musdache…” he mumbles absently, barely sparing me a glance. He’s too busy, bopping along to the nursery rhyme jams on the screen and banging the TV remote on his blocks like a hammer.With a chuckle, I ruffle his little head as I walk by. The kid is adorable. Even at his age, he already has a full head of hair, the same rich shade of mahogany as his mom’s.I head for the kitchen and when I spot Layla, my feet pause.She’s crouched in a fighting position with a half-melted plastic container gripped in her hand. She’s in the middle of a standoff with a ra

ARNOLDToday’s been a slow day here at Hammers and Hardware. On the bright side, it’s given me time to tackle my unending to-do list.I’ve spent most of the afternoon up on a ladder, finally taking down the Christmas ornaments and replacing blown light bulbs. My employees have kept themselves busy with dusting and organizing and arranging the merchandise around the store.Between ringing up the occasional customer, Layla’s been restocking the candies and candles on display at the front. And I’ve been trying my best to keep from getting a boner every time my eyes land on her.She sings along with the radio, wiggling her shoulders and subtly shaking her hips. I can tell that she’s holding back the ‘big moves’ but even still, she’s sexy as hell. My head travels back to the night of my birthday party when she was dancing with me.As fucked up as it sounds, I’d give my left foot for a legitimate reason to hold her in my arms like that again.I stop my thoughts in their tracks.I promised m