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“What did my brother say to you when he came to the room? That’s what made you feel like this.”
My eyes widen in surprise. “How did you know?” I ask.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asks, instead of answering me.
“Because I didn’t want to cause a rift. I know how much you love them. And he didn’t say anything I didn’t already know,” I explain.
His jaw tightens, and he nods, the disappointment in his eyes is unbearable.
“I need to check…something.” I grab my bag and stand. I need to get out of here. I walk over to the deserted service desk and ring the bell.
“I told you, there’s no one here.” His voice comes from right behind me. My already frazzled nerves vibrate, and I yelp and spin around.
“Don’t sneak up on me like that, Stone.”
He grabs my wrists and yanks me to him, in a move that’s rough, but that ends with his sweet mouth on mine. He kisses me, and for a second, I kiss him back. How can I not? He tastes like heaven, and I want to kiss him forever. His mouth is hot and demanding and unyielding on mine. I revel in the cinnamon and chocolate on his breath. I breathe in lungfuls of the most delicious man I’ve ever tasted.
He cups my ass, and I cling to him, a mere handful of heartbeats away from begging him to please put himself inside me. I rally the last bits of my resolve and shove him away.
He looks bewildered, disheveled, and not even close to daunted.
I jump back and just manage to evade his attempt to grab me. I step behind the counter and glare at him. Angry at him and myself for the half of me that wants him to jump over the counter and kiss me again.
“I know you feel the same way,” he growls in frustration,
I gape, goggle-eyed at how savage his expression is. My heart thunders, not from fear, but from excitement. What is wrong with me?
“Less than a week ago, you told me you didn’t want anything more than sex. And now, you want me to throw away everything because you’ve changed your mind?” I demand.
“No, I want you to choose a life you actually want. And I want you to let me be part of it.” His eyes soften, and my resolve does, too.
Oh, dear Lord. Why am I being tested like this?
Discipline, Regan. My grandfather’s voice cracks like a whip in my mind.
“Did you see what happened at brunch? What makes you think we can keep this going, if you were in Houston?”
“No, I didn’t see what happened at brunch because I was too busy trying to understand why you wouldn’t even look at me.” The pain and accusation in his face makes my heart tremble.
But that’s as far as I allow myself to be pulled down. “I’m sorry for that. But, if I looked at you, everyone would have known. And Stone, no one can know about us. If Marcel knows I’ve been unfaithful, he’ll get the kids. It’s in our prenup. You have to understand. This has to be where we say goodbye. Like we planned.”
He glares at me, hands on his hips, and shakes his head, but the determination in his eyes fades, and he looks dejected.
“I’m sorry, Stone.” It feels inadequate, but it’s all I can manage.
He nods and doesn’t say anything, as I round the counter and walk over to my bags.
I take another breath and press on.
“Maybe next time we see each other, and if we’re both free, we can…see.”
He grabs me by the shoulders and spins me around, so fast, I scream. He pins me in place with a furious stare. “What if next time isn’t for another five years? What will I do without you for that long?” His voice is rough, and his eyes look so damn…pained. I almost believe him. Almost. I pull out of his grasp.
“There’ll be someone else. You’ll be fine.” The jealousy I have no right to, blazes my chest and makes a liar out of my casual voice.
His knowing laugh is unrepentant and infuriating.
“I’m trying to do the right thing, I’m glad you think it’s fun--"
