I open my mouth to explain what I meant, but he clamps his lips on mine, sucking any words and breath from my mouth.
Like he’s claiming me.
Wanting me to be his.
And only his.
If only that were true.
The kiss ends as abruptly as it started. His face hovers above me, his chest heaving, his eyes locked with mine. A connection is binding us. He looks like he wants to say something. Like he’s struggling with thoughts that are on his mind. Then, as if something snaps, he lets me go, pushes off the couch, and gets to his feet.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” he asks. “You don’t need to deal with him alone.”
All desire and emotion is wiped clean from his expression. How can he change in a blink of an eye? Was I mistaken in thinking a bond is building? Or is this only two people stuck in a shitty situation and needing each other to pull through it? Is this all one-sided on my part, or is he fighting feelings he doesn’t know how to deal with?
“I’ll be fine.”
“If he gives you any trouble, call me and I’ll come right over.”
I smile. “Thank you. I will.” I get to my feet. “Well, I should get this over with.”
When I walk past Lucas to leave, he holds onto my wrist and stops me. “I hope you get what you want.” Why does it look like it pains him to say that?
I bite my bottom lip, stopping myself from sayingwhat I really want is you.
Lucas arranges for a driver to take me to my apartment building. What will I do without him when this is all over? I toss thatthought away for another time, because right now I have bigger problems to face.
I step from the car and rush into the building. Keeping my hat pulled low and my sunglasses on, I find a quiet area of the lobby to wait for Darren. I can’t believe I had to call him to let me into my own apartment. My keycard for the elevator and door is in my suitcase which I left at Lucas’ cabin.
I send Darren a text to let him know I’m in the lobby and I take a seat behind a potted palm and wait. Watching people come and go, I’m pleased no one takes any notice of me.
After fifteen minutes and two more texts reminding Darren I’m still waiting, he finally arrives with a smug grin on his face like he takes great pleasure having me wait.
I’ll wipe that smile off your face when I kick you out.
Getting to my feet, I narrow my eyes at him. “What took you so long?”
“Busy,” he says unapologetically. He was so desperate to talk to me at the restaurant and now it’s like he has no interest that I’m here. His behavior is strange. What is going on with him?
“I told you what time I’d be here—” I stop myself from making a scene. “You know what? It doesn’t matter. Let’s get this over with.” With both of us standing together, I notice some people are looking our way. “Let’s talk in my apartment.”
He puffs out his chest. “Whatever you have to say, you can say it here.”
Oh, he’s trying to act like a tough guy. I may be small in height, but I will not let him intimidate me. I can’t believe I thought I loved this man. Even wanted to marry him! What was I thinking? He can’t compare to Lucas even if he tried.
Is always comparing men with Lucas going to be my life now?
Unfortunately, the answer is yes.
Pulling myself up as tall as I can get, I stare him dead in the eye. “We will talk in the apartment now, or I will make a scene.One that won’t make you look good in the eyes of the public. And we know what a fame whore you are, don’t we?” I tilt my chin up, challenging him to argue.
His eyes widen as he scans the area around us. Like the weak, little man he is, he nods and turns toward the elevator. Once inside, he swipes the keycard and presses the number to my floor. On the way up we don’t say a word. Being in such a confined space with him makes me uneasy, and as soon as the doors open, I burst from the cart.
Walking into my apartment, it feels like I haven’t been here in months not days. Lucas’ penthouse feels more like home than this space. That’s because Lucas is living in it.
There are empty pizza boxes, Chinese take-out containers, tubs of ice cream, and beer bottles on every surface. Every piece of furniture is covered with dirty clothing and trash. And there are numerous stains on the carpeting where it appears drinks have been spilled or food has been dropped.
“What have you done to the place?” I sniff with disgust.
