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It was easy to suspect someone of inappropriate conduct, but I felt guilty for how I had treated her since she had come back into the box. She had sought my comfort, squeezing my hand as I’d told her she could while wearing my toy and letting me know she was uncomfortable.
There was a chance I had read far too much into her conversation with Peter. I hadn’t heard much of her side of the conversation, and part of me wanted to believe he had been hitting on her unprovoked. She looked hot and she had come to my side to seek calm right after.
If I was wrong, and I’d pushed her away, I was being a monster to her. But if that was how she felt about this situation,I couldn’t tell now. She was smiling, laughing, and drinking with the team.
“How’s business?” I asked Daniel, tearing my gaze off her and choosing to focus on him for a while. I couldn’t face these thoughts. Not right now.
“Good. You’ve made sure of that. You always do. I don’t know what I would do without you in my life sometimes.” Daniel was still looking at me, but as I asked him more questions about everything in his life, he relaxed and we talked about all the other matters between us.
Finally, Sarai came over to us. “Lukas, you have monopolized one of the most famous players of our time for long enough. Let us all talk to him, please.”
I nodded, as Daniel chuckled and shook her hand. “Sarai?”
“Yes. I’ve been working with your friend here for the last few months. He’s a good man.”
“The best. And if we agree on that, I’m sure we’ll get along well, too.”
“Well, I have to reserve the title of best for my wonderful husband, but can we agree that he comes a close second in my life?” She let out a small chuckle, and Daniel joined in before confirming her request.
“That’s more than fair. I wouldn’t want Lukas to be my husband, either. Business partner forever, but he can be dark and brooding when it comes to love.”
Again, they both laughed, and I let out a snort.
“Oh, I think he’s brightened up a little lately.” Sarai winked before looking at Kit. “A certain young woman in our presence seems to have brought out the best in him. At least until today.”
“You know, I’m standing right here,” I responded before Sarai or Daniel could say anything more. A stab of discomfort stole my breath as I realized I was mirroring Kit’s reaction almost word for word. Suddenly, my forced joke didn’t feel sofunny anymore. Was I that insensitive to her emotions? If I was rattled, how would someone as shy and anxious as her feel when people “joked” around her this way?
“Sorry.” Daniel looked sheepish, but Sarai only winked. The two of them launched into their own conversation about the project and possible future jobs. It was all information I had heard before, so I bowed out of the small circle and tried to look for someone else who might talk to me and not bring Kit up.
I wanted to be done with today and get back to my hotel room. To my annoyance, the player beside Kit noticed I was standing by myself and waved me over to the group.
Although I wanted to decline the invitation, I knew it would be rude and would actively snub Kit and the people she was with. I forced myself to walk over to them and smile. They opened up beside her, which at least allowed me to look at all of them and not her.
To my surprise, she took my hand and gave it another few squeezes. Was she truly not okay?
I glanced down at her, close enough to smell the shampoo in her hair and the perfume Sarai had suggested she try. It was a combination I had grown familiar with, and it stirred a lust in me I couldn’t deny. Not only had Kit taken my hand for her comfort, but she had shown everyone here she was mine. It didn’t make sense.
I could only assume this was for my benefit. I’d often heard of women being more affectionate to their partners when they were fooling about behind their backs or considering doing so. It made the men complacent and meant they were blindsided. I wasn’t going to be one of those people. Not even slightly.
If Kit was playing me for a fool and trying to set up her next job, she was going to be surprised. More than a few women had wanted to be in a relationship with me only for my money and who I could introduce them to. I wasn’t going to do that for her.If this was all it was to her, our relationship would end with this trip.
Still, I held her hand for a while. I couldn’t be completely sure, and I didn’t want to make her feel terrible if there was a chance I got it wildly wrong. The longer I held her hand, however, the more I tensed.
This relationship was in big trouble. It was only a matter of when it would fully hit the rocks.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX
Kit
I tried not to panic as Lukas pulled away from me for a second time. He had held my hand a little longer, but still walked away before I was ready.
The whole situation had gotten to me and I didn’t know what to do. For a while the conversation around me continued, a blur of chatter I wasn’t sure I cared about, let alone could process or understand. Lukas went back to Sarai and Richard and seemed to encourage them to leave.
I didn’t exactly mind, given how well the day was going, but I didn’t want to be rude, and I wasn’t sure how welcome I would be to leave the party. Still, I didn’t want to stay here, and for tonight, at least, there was only one place I knew I could go.
The hotel.
With Lukas.
