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I cross my arms over my chest to keep from punching him in his smug face. “Then why are you here?”
He grins. “The deal was that I had to surrender my membership in order to continue seeing Desiree.” His grin morphs into something more threatening. “We never agreed Makayla was off-limits.”
“She’s mine,” I snarl.
Victor lifts a careless shoulder. “You sure about that?” Then he spins on his heels and stalks off into the darkness.
Motherfucker.
TWENTY-FIVE
MAKAYLA
I’m not sure what stirs me awake, but when I open my eyes, I’m acutely aware of two things: the faint woodsy scent lingering in the air and the man sitting in the corner.
I suck in a breath but don’t scream. “What are you doing, Cannon?”
“Thinking.”
“You couldn’t do that in your own bedroom? How the hell did you get in here?”
“I bought this place for Heather. I still have the keys.”
I growl in frustration. “That doesn’t give you the right to come into my apartment.”
“I know.” He pauses. “I just couldn’t leave you alone after everything that went down tonight.” He leans forward, propping his forearms on the tops of his thighs. “You have every right to be angry with me—with everyone. Heather is devastated and pissed at me for dragging her into this.”
“Do you have any idea how fucked-up this is?” I hiss. “You’re insane. All of you.”
“I’m so sorry, Makayla.” He sighs. “I’d like to explain.”
“Please do.” I shift on the bed, putting my back against the headboard. “This is your one and only chance to come clean. Start from the beginning, and don’t leave a single detail out.”
He stands from the chair and I notice he’s wearing a light blue T-shirt that clings to his solid chest, and dark jeans. I’ve never seen him in anything but a suit. He looks hot, but I keep that thought to myself.
He moves to my side of the bed, turning on the lamp before sitting on the edge of the mattress. “Victor and I have known each other for a long time. I even considered him one of my best friends, up until he slept with my girlfriend in college.”
My lip curls in disgust. “Why am I not surprised?”
“When I saw you at graduation, I knew I had to have you.”
“Had to have me?” I shriek. “You sound like Victor! So, then what? You sent your sister over to do your bidding?”
“Not exactly.” Shaking his head, he continues, “I saw you before the ceremony. When I pointed you out to Heather, she told me your name. You had my full attention the moment you crossed that stage. The camera zoomed in on your face and I was instantly drawn to you. Not just because I thought you were beautiful, but there was something else. A gentleness that tugged at my heartstrings. I can’t remember the last time I felt that way, if ever. When I saw Victor at your side, I got angry because he’d just been with Desiree.” His eyes move over my face. If he’s looking for a reaction, he won’t get one. I don’t care about Victor, at all, and I need more time to wrap my head around his involvement with Desiree. “I felt this need to protect you, but I also wanted you for myself. I was tempted to toss you over my shoulder and run.”
“How very caveman of you,” I deadpan.
He shrugs as if to say“This is who I am.”
“I texted Heather and told her to get your number because I wanted to offer you a job.”
“Did you force her to be friends with me?”
“No.” He sighs. “Heather would never befriend someone because I asked her to. Her friendship is genuine.” His eyes are soft and earnest. “Maybe if Victor hadn’t been there, things might’ve gone differently.” He shrugs. “I still would’ve sent Heather over, but I would’ve introduced myself, too. Maybe even offer you a job in person.” He rakes his fingers through his hair. “Instead, I went to the parking lot and called Victor.”
“That was you who called him?”
“Yes.” He clears his throat. “I gave him a choice. You or Desiree.”
