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I drew my brows together, confused at the female voice. Then Garrett abruptly released me, stepping back. I blinked, only then realizing a member of the housekeeping team was standing in the doorway leading from the terrace into Kayden and Holden’s living quarters.
“Would you like me to clean up or are you still enjoying your breakfast?” she asked, her wide eyes darting rapidly between Garrett and me.
Without a single glance back at me, Garrett strode away, disappearing through the doors with barely a nod at the woman. I cleared my throat, still in a daze. Had I really thought he was about to kiss me? Surely it had been my overactive imagination.
“Um, yes. I’m finished,” I managed to say, offering her an unsteady smile, certain I looked as disoriented as I felt.
Before she could say anything else, I darted away, blindly making my way through the living area and into the hall on the fourth floor. There was no sign of Garrett, thankfully. I rushed to the nearest stairway and practically ran down to my floor. I couldn’t get to my room fast enough.
As soon as I let myself in, I shut the door and leaned against it, my heart thundering and my breath coming in rapid pants. I lifted my fingers to my lips.
I’d let my imagination run wild. Garrett hadn’t been thinking of kissing me. That was just impossible. Besides, he’d said himself that he wanted someone else. That was why he was so upset about the Contention… right?
But oh God, how I’d wanted him to kiss me. I whimpered as I imagined what that would have felt like. Those full lips pressed against mine. Those large, strong hands tangled in my hair, running down my back, my hips…
“Pull yourself together, girl,” I hissed, pushing off the door and stepping into the living room of my suite.
My new home on the third floor was a vast upgrade from the second-floor suite I’d lived in during the Contention, and that had been beautiful. This, however, was a full apartment, complete with its own living room and kitchen, two bedrooms, and two full baths. Kayden had given me free rein with redecorating, and I’d chosen to have the walls painted a soft cream, accented with muted tones of pink and sage. It was elegant, classy, and feminine without being too frilly.
In a daze, I wandered over to the oversized white couch and flopped onto it, staring up at the crystal chandelier that hung from the ceiling. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t shake the image of Garrett staring down at me on the terrace. A tiny voice in my head taunted me.
What if he did want to kiss you?
I moaned, only now realizing just how much I’d wanted that to happen. My chest tightened. I was an idiot. A total fool. Why in the world had I suggested for Garrett to have his own Contention? If he had any inkling of desire for me—which I still couldn’t quite comprehend—I’d sealed my own fate by putting this idea out into the universe. Fucking Everett Franklin. He’d run full steam ahead with it.
I whimpered, regretting the words and wishing more than anything that I could take them back.
“Ugh, stop it,” I berated myself. “This is getting you nowhere.”
It was useless to wonder and dream and lament what might have been. Because, truth be told, this was just my overactive imagination and unrequited childish crush. Garrett didn’t want me. I was projecting.
I needed to get the hell over it and move on. This was a huge opportunity for me. Running my very own Contention? It was almost too good to be true. I’d only held my position on the council for six months. To be given this responsibility was a huge compliment. Holden trusted me with this. And I had no intention of letting him down.
I’d put on the best damn Contention in the history of the packs. I’d outdo even Willow herself.
“You’ve got this, girl.” I pushed off the couch and stood, mentally pumping myself up.
I could do this. I could handle this. I was going to find someone absolutely perfect for Garrett, so he could at least live happily with what fate had dealt him.
And one day, when it was all over, perhaps I’d find someone great for myself.
5
GARRETT
“Is there anything else I can get for you, Mr. Kingsman?” Marie, one of the kitchen staff, fussed with the breakfast tray on my desk, arranging plates and utensils. It was piled high with fruit, fried eggs, sausage, waffles, and yogurt. She’d brought three different kinds of juice to my office as well. I tapped my fingers impatiently on my desk, wondering if she would spend the entire morning setting up breakfast.
“I can’t possibly eat all this,” I snapped. “Whose idea was it to send enough food for half a dozen people?”
Marie froze. “I just wanted you to have plenty of options.”
“Yeah, well, no one else is concerned about giving me options. This is a waste of resources. You ought to think of that the next time.”
“I-I’m sorry, sir. I was just trying to—” Her voice broke, and I glanced up to see Marie’s eyes filling with tears, her lips quivering.
Fuck. Just because I was frustrated with my life spinning out of my control, it didn’t give me the right to be an asshole.
I closed my eyes and took a breath. “I’m sorry, Marie. I’m on edge this morning. Taking it out on you was wrong. I hope you’ll forgive me.” I tried to put on my most charming smile, but today wasn’t my day, and I was afraid it looked more like a grimace.
