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I went to him, my hand hesitating a few inches above his back as Jacob’s face flashed through my mind.
You’re a fixer, I thought firmly. You’re not cheating if you’re just trying to help your client.
His tears stopped as soon as my hand made contact. He closed his eyes, his heavy breathing slowing as I stroked his back, telling him it wasn’t his fault. Telling him everything would be okay.
He opened his eyes, a smile playing at his lips, then wavering when he turned and looked at what he’d done. “Jesus.”
“Yeah,” I smiled up at him, glad that he was sobering up and shared something so personal. So raw. Maybe someday, if he could respect my relationship with Jacob, we could be friends after all.
I opened my mouth to tell him it was time to leave before they called security and he rushed forward, taking my face between his massive hands. Before I could react, he slammed his mouth into mine. The kiss couldn’t have lasted longer than a heartbeat. A blink of an eye.
He pulled back almost immediately, remembering himself. And after a stunned moment where it sunk in and I realized what he’d done, my hand sliced toward his cheek.
He caught it easily, his mouth working as he tried to apologize, but it came out as gibberish. “I...uh...didn’t...I meant...sorry--”
I yanked my arm from his grip, speaking in some mishmash language myself. “You...Jacob...can’t...BASTARD!”
I wanted to lunge at him, to pummel him with both hands, but I knew I was no match. I had to leave. I had to just GO.
I turned around and faced the cherry on top--Lisa standing in the doorway, her mouth an O of surprise.
I shoved past, seeing red as blood roared in my ears. I had to get out of there. I had to get out now.
****
"I'm going to kill him."
When I looked at Jacob’s face, I didn’t see a trace of any emotion besides determination. The stoic mask was all machine with one purpose only--ending Cade Wallace.
I stepped in front of him, barring the exit. "Don’t do something you’re gonna regret."
"You told him you were attached and uninterested and he took it as an invitation." Jacob started rolling up his sleeves. "Get out of my way, Leila."
This was escalating to Crazy Town. "Okay, so you’re going to go to his apartment and challenge him to a duel or fight or whatever. And what are we supposed to do when the reporters snap pictures of your face?"
"My face?" He snorted. "The bigger they are, the harder they fall. I'm sure they'll be more concerned with Cade's broken nose."
I didn't move, even though I was sure a slight breeze would have knocked me out flat. I couldn't believe that he was willing to create a whole new scandal and go toe to toe with Cade just to protect my honor. It was sweet but I couldn’t let it go down.
"I'm not going to let you do this," I said firmly. "Not for me."
"I guess it's a good thing I don't need your permission then."
I knew I could tell him about Cade’s wife and it would at least chill his blood and give me a chance to convince him to let it go, but I felt like it wasn't my secret to tell. Still, there was another part of me that knew that picking and choosing what I thought Jacob should know wasn't fair to him.
I inhaled sharply, praying that I wasn't just making things worse.
"I found out something personal. Something that I think explains why he did what he did."
He shifted, but didn't stand down. "I'm listening."
"Apparently Cade was married, back when he was in the military." I didn't feel like his...extracurricular activities were relevant, so I got to the point. "When he came home from a tour, his wife committed suicide."
Jacob's stony expression softened slightly, but his jaw was still tight with anger. "What does that have to do with the kiss?"
“He was feeling vulnerable, Jacob,” I tried to explain. “And he was drunk. Is drunk. From the way he reeked, he’s going to be drunk for days.”
He relaxed slightly and I felt a little better. I’d been up front, one hundred percent honest, and there was no brawl. I guess this whole straight up thing was a good idea after all.
