Page 34 of Tell Me Something

His eyes snapped to mine. “Don’t try to change me. I’m a private man and like it that way.”

It was said without anger, but I could tell that I’d inadvertently hit a nerve. “I’ll meet you downstairs.” I set my glass down, grabbed my clutch, and walked out his door.

His footsteps came behind me on the way to the elevator. “Haylee…”

Damn his honey voice. “Don’t. One minute you’re telling me about being intrigued, and the next you’re telling me not to change you. What in the hell just happened? Did I do something wrong? I feel like you’re holding something back, Josh.”

He exhaled as we got into an empty elevator heading for the lobby. I felt his hand tugging on my pinky. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I am who I am. Besides, I thought I made it clear that we do this my way, which means I decide when and how.”

When I looked at him, I saw a little bit of sadness in his eyes, but tugged my pinky away once the elevator doors opened. I didn’t know what to do.

After getting in the car waiting outside, we sat in the back seat, silent for a few minutes until he turned towards me.

“Haylee, look at me.”

Meeting his eyes, I saw passion and fear reflected. I wanted so badly to tell him that I wasn’t his ex-wife, that whatever had happened with her I wouldn’t do the same thing to him, and that he could— Shit, what? Change? I blew out the breath I’d been holding and closed my eyes for a second before taking his hand.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured and witnessed confusion cloud his eyes.

“You have nothing to apologize for.”

“I wanted you to confide in me when you confide in no one. So even if I didn’t think that was asking you to change, it was.”

He gazed at me for the longest time and then relaxed. “If anyone should apologize, it should be me. You’re right, I’m hot and cold, and you’re only asking questions. I’m just not equipped to answer them at this point. Okay?”

Nodding, I squeezed his hand, willing myself to be patient. Meanwhile, I vowed that once I got some time to myself, I would evaluate whether or not I wanted to put myself through this for the next few months. His emotional roller coaster had such a profound effect on me and my mood that I questioned whether this thing between us would be healthy.

I didn’t want to rely on anyone for validation. The only person I had to depend on in this world was myself. I needed to remember that, especially now.

After getting out of the car, we went inside toward the club-level suite where the party was being held. Josh took me over to the side before entering the room. “Do you think you can withstand another night of listening to conversations among those who decide to talk badly about us?”

I batted my eyelashes dramatically. “No problem.”

“We’ll plan on recapping after the party. They really won’t know what hit them come tomorrow morning.” He looked amused with the notion.

I wasn’t sure what he had in mind, but something told me that Josh Singer would ensure that anyone who crossed him would regret it.

Ana was one of the first to greet us, with eyes only for my boss. “Ah, Mr. Singer, let me get you a drink. What’s your pleasure?”

He came ready to play. “Haylee knows how I like it; I’ll let her take care of the drink.”

Biting my lip, I tried not to laugh at the expression on Ana’s face. I snagged a couple of appetizers on my way to the bar, intending to enjoy at least the food while I was here. A few minutes later, I sidled up to Josh and handed him his drink.

Ken, now standing with Josh, introduced a couple of the top guys to me.

They both rubbed me the wrong way immediately. Each lingered a little too long over my hand, and one of them even caressed his thumb over my fingers. Hearing what they said to each other in Cantonese sealed the deal.

Giving Josh my best fake smile, I was happy to hear the music start. It provided some background noise as we moved out of earshot.

“What were they discussing?”

“Well, after Stan and Charlie creeped me out with the hand thing, they discussed how I might give head. Apparently, they’d seen me eat a cocktail shrimp earlier.”

His eyes darkened.

“It’s fine. The fact that they can compare a small cocktail shrimp to giving head kind of tells you everything you need to know about their penis size.”

He chuckled. “If it makes you feel better, I didn’t like either of them, either. I figured they wouldn’t have anything good to say. How about Ken?”