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I didn’t think; I rarely considered the consequences of my actions. Like I had for much of my life, I operated on impulse. Sometimes this resulted in trouble. At the moment, it was too soon to say which direction this one would go, but a guy could hope, right? Even a guy like me. Lifting her chin with my forefinger, I forced her to look me in the eye. “I think I need you more than I knew. You could be the light to my dark.” I wanted to say more, but my heart was suddenly in my throat. I closed my eyes and pressed my forehead to hers, hoping I’d be able to speak soon, praying the blood rushing in my ears wouldquiet.
“The yin to your yang?” shewhispered.
My eyes flew open and I gazed into hers. “All that and more,” I murmured. Then I glanced at her lips. They were so close. If I just tilted my head slightly, I could press mine to hers. I had to know. Every time we touched, I understood true desire. My mind raced because wasn’t lust the precursor for love? The debate raged inside me. Should I? I kept talking myself out of it: the fear of rejection was great. Then the decision was made for me. Talia angled her head just enough for my mouth to slip in and capturehers.
At first, the closeness, the mere touch, was enough, but then I needed more. I kissed her. I truly kissed her. My hands knotted in her hair while her hands grabbed the back of my neck, and our tongues dueled for position. Yes, I was fighting for my life, fighting for a better future than the one I’d accepted and imagined. This was the kind of woman I could love. While I’d known cold and detached women all my life, starting with my own mother, Talia was like playing with fire. Only I didn’t fear being burned. She warmed me, melted the ice in my veins, and brought me to life. If I had nothing more than this weekend with her, it would never be enough. Yet, just in case, I wanted to make the most of every minute of our timetogether.
When we finally pulled apart, her eyes were closed. Slowly, they opened and I could read something unexpected in them. Her cheeks flamed and I pressed the back of my hand to them, but now, since she’d thoroughly heated me, my touch brought norelief.
“Wow,” she whispered. Talia sucked in her lower lip and gazed up at me through her darklashes.
My heart felt like it would burst from my chest, or maybe burst in general. How could I maintain that intensity, that pace without crashing? I leaned heavily against the leather seats. Reaching out, I held her hand in mine. I studied our fingers, the way they looked so natural intertwined. I loved the touch of her skin, even if she had pointed out mine were too soft. I wanted to change everything for her. “I may be updating your wardrobe, but I’m the one who’s becoming a new person.” I shook my head as I stared out the window. We would be at the hotel entirely too soon. While she’d soothed me in some ways, in others, my fear had grown. Talia had become one more thing for me to lose tonight. “So thatcontract…”
“What about it?” Taliafrowned.
“Is it airtight? Do you have to stick it out until I get home?” The wheels were turning in mymind.
“I really do. If I abandon you before you make it back to LA, then I don’t get paid, not even a portion.” She chuckled. “I’m not sure why Ty felt it necessary to write that in there. I’m not exactly known for being flighty or giving up on awhim.”
“No?” My browsrose.
Her lips pursed. “No. I’m a sticker. I stick it out. I suffer through. I try until it killsme.”
“Hey, hey,” I teased. “No one has to diehere.”
“And no one will.” She blew out a breath. “I’ve been through it. I know more about addiction than I should, than anyone should,really.”
“I’m sorry.” I squeezed her hand. I meant it. I truly felt badly Talia had ever suffered. She deserved nothing but happiness. I shut my eyes tightly. In admitting that, I’d essentially relinquished the idea of being with her. I wasn’t exactly known for spreadingjoy.
“It’s okay. These things happen for a reason.” She bit her bottom lip for a second, igniting urges I hadn’t felt in a long time. “While it sounds cliché, I’m beginning to wonder if the reason…wasyou.”
My lips twitched I felt a lopsided grin spread. “Maybe. Just in case, and because these things take time, you should know I’ve made adecision.”
Talia laughed quietly. “Oh, and what’sthat?”
“I’m not going back to LA,” Iannounced.
Her eyes widened. “Thecontract…”
This wasn’t the reaction I’d imagined. I thought she might be pleased. I even pictured her beaming and throwing herself into my arms. Instantly, I released her hand and crossed my arms over my body. This felt more familiar, but still unwelcome: rejection at its finest. “Can’t handle being stuck with me, pussycat?”
She shook her head and swallowed a few times. “It’s notthat.”
“No?” I eyed her coldly. She was busy wringing her hands. Her whole being reeked of fear. My stomach sank. “It’s themoney.”
8
Talia
Ishould’ve laughed.Why the hell couldn’t I just laugh? He didn’t mean it. He was playing. I mean, who does that? Who would randomly decide not to go home? Maybe ever. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. When I opened them again, I could see the distance between us, but Drew felt so far away, he might as well have been on the moon. “Sadly, you’re right, but not for any of the reasons you imagine. Let me explain.” I opened my mouth to share more. I had to make him understand. It wasn’t about greed, it was aboutneed.
Instead, Drew stiffened. “Not now. We’re at the hotel. We need to get ready for the wedding. You can have the bathroom. I’ll change in the bedroom.” His door opened and he stepped out of thevehicle.
Last time, he’d held out a hand for me. This time, he left the driver to do it. I inhaled deeply. He was a special kind of mad. I had no one to blame but myself. I stood on the sidewalk and watched as the driver handed off our garment bags, shopping bags, and boxes to thebellhop.
“Right this way,” the young man gestured for us to follow him into thelobby.
Drew strode immediately over to the reservation desk to check us in. The longer he gave me the cold shoulder, the worse I felt. Tears began to prick the backs of my eyes. When he turned toward me, I looked away, refusing to let him see the hurt on myface.
