The word tumbled out of me, laced with pain and shame.
“I won’t be someone’s second choice. I can’t do that to another woman,” I said, shaking my head.
“You wouldn’t be?—”
“No,” I cut him off, my voice firm even though every fiber of me was shuddering. “You’re still married, Lykos. I don’t care how tragic your situation is. You’re still tied to someone else.”
I yanked away from his touch and he reached for me again.
“Don’t,” I pleaded.
We just stood there, two humans battling our own tragedies. We were so close yet worlds apart. We’d only shareda fleeting encounter, but I’d felt closer to him in those few hours than any boy or man before.
And that alone terrified me, because he tempted me.
He reached into his pocket and handed me a card. When I made no effort to take it, he tucked it into my pocket.
“It’s a business card with my private line,” he said softly, his hand falling at his side. “If you ever need anything, just?—”
“I won’t.” I sniffed. “Maybe in another life.”
Dammit, why did it hurt so much? It was just a one-night stand. I didn’t know him. He didn’t know me.
Yet somehow it felt like so much more. Maybe his soul spoke to mine, or maybe it was that we’d both been struck by life’s curveballs. Whatever it was, it wasn’t fair.
“Goodbye, Lykos.”
I turned before I could change my mind and do something I would regret later.
Each step felt heavier, almost as if I were dragging my heart behind me.
I didn’t look back, because if I did, I feared my strength would fail me and I’d take him up on his offer, even just so I could feel something again.
I pinched the bridge of my stinging nose as I came back to the present, doing my best to stave off the tears that demanded to be set free. Sadly, it was the second time I’d walked away from him, but it wouldn’t be the last. The third—and final—time I saw him had almost killed me, because I left my heart and soul behind with him.
But I couldn’t go there right now.
Over the next decade, I’d worked tirelessly to build my career on boundaries. And even then, the few times I crossed paths with him again were because of my work. And it ultimately brought me here. Into his home.
I exhaled and crossed to the sofa, sitting on the edge. I was the picture of composure with my back straight and my hands folded neatly in my lap. But my mind was a mess, solely focused on the man who left an imprint on my soul one cold, lonely night.
He hadn’t changed. Actually, that wasn’t entirely true. He had changed, and it went beyond a few silver strands at his temples.
This Lykos Costello was harder and darker than the one I remembered. As if time had honed him instead of softening him.
I shook my head, painfully aware that I was at least partly to blame.
This is a mistake,my mind screamed. The self-preservation urged me to flee and my gaze shifted toward the door, but I remained glued to the couch.
This could be my only chance to get closer to them.
A soft creak echoed through the quiet room and I held my breath, expecting Lykos. Instead, Aria’s curly blonde hair peeked through and a set of blue eyes met mine.
I held my breath, the moment stretching while I soaked in every inch of the girl’s face. She was beautiful, her gentle soul reflecting in her eyes. I couldn’t help but note that Lykos had done well.
I cleared my throat. “You don’t have to sneak, you know.”
The door opened a little wider and footsteps followed. “Papa told me to go to my room.”
