My Rules for Dealing With My Ex Chapter 1

Liam Vance and I were friends with benefits. The very first night we reconnected, I hit him with my terms for a trial sleep contract.

"Go get a check-up at the clinic. Prove you're clean and healthy. How else am I supposed to know if you can even satisfy me?"

Hearing my words, the desire that had been building in Liam's eyes instantly fizzled out.

"Fine. Let's get my body thoroughly checked out! We'll see exactly how well I can satisfy you!"

He gritted his teeth, looking at me, his eyes burning with the desire to conquer me.

* * *

Running into Liam Vance again was pure chance.

That night, I'd been betrayed by my own fiancé.

SMACK!

"Ethan Cole! How could you do this to me! It's my birthday, and you sneak off to get a room with my goddamn best friend? Are you two trying to deliberately screw with my head, get some sick thrill?!"

Seeing the half-naked pair of dogs before me, I couldn't hold back my fury any longer. I slapped my fiancé across the face.

My eyes were red with rage, and I put all my strength into it. The slap nearly knocked Ethan's head off, and half his face immediately started to swell.

"Ah!?!"

My 'best friend,' Jessica Bell, shrieked.

Clutching the bedsheet, she ran over, carefully cupping Ethan's face, her own expression filled with exaggerated pain.

Tears welled in her eyes, making her look pitiful yet defiant.

"Ava, you've gone too far this time. Even if Ethan and I did something inappropriate, you can't just hit people! Look how swollen it is, that must hurt so much..."

Her fake innocent act made my stomach turn.

"Since you care about him so much, why don't I just give him to you."

"Ethan Cole, we're done. Hope you two live happily ever after."

After landing the blow, I didn't waste another word. I turned sharply and walked away.

Jessica gaped, seemingly shocked that I'd let go so easily.

But Ethan panicked. He grabbed my hand, ignoring his own throbbing face.

"Ava, I'm sorry, I messed up! It was a moment of weakness! We've been together for years, how can you just throw me away like this?!"

Me throw him away?!

Seeing his wounded expression, I just wanted to laugh.

Seriously, how blind was I before? It was like I went dumpster diving and pulled him out.

But hey, the world’s full of all sorts.

Plenty of people seem to enjoy trash.

Jessica wrapped her arm around Ethan’s and tried to 'explain.'

"Yeah, Ava, there's nothing going on between Ethan and me. He was just here helping me with a massage..."

The challenge in her eyes was impossible to miss.

Their closeness made even Ethan visibly uncomfortable.

"Really?!"

A cold smile touched my lips.

"Of course... Jessica and I, we..."

SMACK!

Before Ethan could finish, I slapped him again, this time on the other cheek.

He clutched his face, utterly stunned.

SMACK!

SMACK!

Before he could react, I landed two more quick slaps on his right cheek.

"There. Now it's symmetrical."

I nodded, satisfied, looking at Ethan's swollen face as if admiring a piece of art in a gallery.

Jessica was too shocked to even scream.

Ethan, now sporting four handprints, glared at me, face dark, veins popping. He looked like he wanted to punch me right back.

Too bad for him, he didn't have the guts.

"Ava Sterling, you're going way too far! I'm still your fiancé, you know! Even if I made a mistake, you should show me some respect in public! I'm your man, after all!"

Hearing that, I rolled my eyes so hard I could practically see my brain.

Never heard of a kept man, caught cheating by the woman footing the bills, trying to pull the 'macho man' card.

Did being my lapdog give him a superiority complex?