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“Theo, this isn’t the medieval times. Your father can’t force you to marry someone. It’s called saying no. If you’re innocent like you claim—”
“Iaminnocent.” He runs his hands through his unruly hair. “It’s not that simple.”
“How is it not?”
“Because it isn’t!” he snaps but regains his composure before speaking again. He turns back to me. “There was a point in my life where I only cared about power. Wealth. Money was my drug, an addiction I never wanted to give up. My father made me that way. He created a version of himself in me, knowing that’s what it took to stay on top. At first, I didn’t believe him when he presented me with these insane terms. You’re right; no one should be able to force someone into marriage. I would come to find out that it is possible. I wanted the whole mess to disappear and thought it would with time. So, I conceded. I shut that part of my life off, signed my life away, and buried myself in work. I knew, once that merger was ready to go through, truth or not, I would marry Alana.”
“And now it seems you’re engaged. Why did you bring me here?”
“I never proposed. That was my father’s doing. I want nothing to do with Alana.”
“Oh, give me a break. The perfect couple?Please. Are you seriously trying to tell me you’re not into her? That this is just a scam?”
“Yes. Because it’s the truth. I told you. We had that night in the hotel and a few other times that summer, but it was all meaningless.”
“What’s your point?”
“I haven’t touched her since.”
I shoot up from my chair. “I’m not here to be played. If you think I’m going to believe you, you have—”
“I’m not done. Sit down,” he barks out but quickly catches himself again and sighs. “Please. . .” I slowly retake my seat. “As I said, the agreement would go into effect when the merger was ready. And now it is. My father gave me a deadline to propose by my birthday.”
“Well, you’re right on schedule then. Congrats, by the way—”
“I’m not marrying her!” He grabs the back of his neck. “My father is a powerful man. He doesn’t take no for an answer and always gets what he wants.” He starts to pace the kitchen. “He’s ruined everything I’ve ever wanted and destroyed any woman I’ve felt anything for. Innocent women. All to make this contract go through.” He storms over and stops in front of me. “He’s made me into this cold, heartless person. Because if I were anything else, he would destroy it.” He stares down at me, needing me to understand.
“I gave in to his demands. This lie. He won.” He pauses, holding my gaze. “But then, you walked into my office with your clumsiness and horrible work ethic. You didn’t know shit about being an assistant, but damn it, you made my heart beat again.” He cups my cheeks and rests his forehead against mine. “You made me want something I couldn’t have.”
“What?”
“You.” I feel it then—the slightest warmth in my heart. Like one of the broken pieces has settled back into place. “I’ve seen what my father is capable of. I refused to put you in his crosshairs. ”
His palm slides down and grips the nape of my neck. “I fought to stay away from you because I knew the repercussions. I thought I was strong enough to do my duty, marry Alana, and fall deeper into my work. I’d accepted that—”
“And then the awards ceremony happened.”
He nods. “I fucked up. I was weak. You, in that dress, broke me. I crossed the line. Risked everything. I told myself if I kept it to one kiss, maybe I’d be satisfied knowing what your lips tasted like. Felt like. But god, then I couldn’t stop. And fuck, I didn’t want to.”
“Why couldn’t you just be honest with me?”
“The things he’s done to people who became important to me. . . I couldn’t let that happen to you.”
“So, you broke my heart instead?”
He laces his hands into my hair and presses his lips to my temple. “I was selfish. You’re all I thought about. Saw. Smelled. Fuck, I couldn’t function without you.”
I push him away. “And, in the end, you left me in pieces. So, again, why am I here?” I stand, needing my space.
“My private meetings.”
I raise my hand, stopping him. “I don’t want to hear about those. You think that’s going to fix this?”
“Yes. Because you were wrong.”
“Oh, you two having private hookups isn’t what it looks like?”
“I told you, I haven’t touched her in seven years. It took me some time to piece it together. The day Alana showed up, I had a meeting that was marked private. You assumed it was with her.”
