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“How so?” His biting tone causes me to wince, but I forge on, hoping to turn things around.
He takes a seat on a chair facing me.
I shift on my feet uncomfortably, looking down at Charles, who still has a blank face. “I might’ve led him on unintentionally.”
Charles’s eyes narrow imperceptibly, but I don’t miss it.
“You led him on. How?”
“He was making his feelings more noticeable. I ignored it. Instead of coming clean and telling him there was no chance, I stayed quiet.”
Charles’s shoulders stiffen, and I wonder what he’s thinking. Is he misunderstanding my silence from earlier?
How could he not?
“Charles. About earlier,” I say, but he shakes his head.
“Not now, Raven.”
“When? I can’t go on feeling like this. It’s horrible.”
He huffs a humorless laugh, and I tense.
“I think we both know this was never going to work, Raven.”
My heart stops.
My body sags.
I feel like I’m going to be sick.
“Getting to know you was fun, but it wasn’t meant to last. I don’t do relationships.” He glances around the room, and his eyes manage to darken more.
What is he remembering that has those shadows clouding his handsome face?
“This place reminded me of that.” He shrugs. “The sex was great.”
I stare at him. Did he really just say that to me?
“Seriously?” I snap. “That’s all you have to say to me?” My voice pitches, and Charles doesn’t even flinch.
“Oh, come now, Raven. Surely you’d say the same. Italy. The office. Here. It was just really good sex. Now you can leave.”
“Charles, you don’t understand. I—”
“Don’t,” he snarls. “Don’t you dare try to backpedal.”
Knowing Charles, even after a short time, I’m aware that anything I say at this point would come across as forced. He wouldn’t believe me, and it would only make things worse.
I’ve well and truly messed up, but I don’t care.
I have to say the words.
“I’ve fallen in love with you.” I say the words, but it’s too late, and I know it.
He bares his teeth as the anger pours from him.
“I. Said. Don’t,” he grits.
