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“No, I would prefer to not speak in Daisy’s presence.” I plant my feet and the smile slowly fades from his lips. He recognizes the look on my face.
“What’s going on?”
“Are you sleeping with Natalie?”
He lifts his brow. “No. Where is this coming from?”
“But you were—sleeping with her or you did? You two were a thing?”
He hangs his head, lifting his hand to slowly drag it through his hair as he lets out an exasperated sigh.
Oh God, she wasn’t lying.
“Yes. I did sleep with her a few times. It was in the past, a mistake that I regret but we were never athing.Did she talk to you?”
“Why’d you lie to me about it then?” I don’t tell him that she did. I don’t want him telling her that I ran to him to tattle. I clench my jaw, trying to keep my tone even.
“I didn’t lie to you. You asked me if I was involved with her, if we were together, and I said no because we weren’t and aren’t.”
I roll my eyes. “That’s total bullshit. It’s a lie of omission and you know it.” I jab my finger toward him.
“You need to lower your tone, young lady.” He steps toward me, backing me into the alcove of the elevators.
“Don’t patronize me. How would you feel if you found out from Preston that he’d fucked me?” I shock even myself at my harsh words.
He grabs my hand, tugging me toward him. “Has he, Daphne? Has he touched you? Kissed you? Fucked you the way I have?” His eyes are dark and piercing, his words said through gritted teeth as he looks down at me.
“No,” I say softly. “But if he had, I wouldn’t have hidden it from you.”
He scans my face, his gaze softening a little as he releases my hand. He reaches up and cups my face. “She was a mistake and I’ve told her as much. I never should have slept with her. I was grieving and then lonely and then just a fucking asshole who needed escape instead of facing my feelings about Mira. That’s why I didn’t tell you about it. I was, I am ashamed and now that I have to work with her through this deal, I didn’t want you to be worried that I was still sleeping with her or that there were any feelings or desires there. I’m sorry, I should have told you.”
“So you two have been hooking up on and off over the last four years?” I struggle to believe that he has no feelings for her if that’s the case.
“No. It didn’t happen until the last year. I was struggling and she reached out to me because she was as well. It was around the anniversary of Mira’s passing. I mean it, Daphne. I’ve never had feelings for her and I haven’t been with her since I met you.”
“Thank you for apologizing.”
He rests his forehead against mine, letting out a slow breath. “The thought of Preston or any man touching you makes me want to tear them limb from limb, baby. You’re mine, you understand me?”
I don’t know what to say or feel. I’m terrified of what I’m feeling for this man, but I’m also terrified of being consumed by him. I wasn’t ready to fall again; I still don’t know if I’m ready. Sometimes I feel like I’m still running from losing my mom and Carson and my broken relationship with my father. I don’t know if I have enough to give someone else, let alone myself.
“I— I need some time and space.” I reach up and wrap my hands around his, pulling them from me.
“Meaning what, Daphne?”
“I just don’t know if I can do this right now. I’m not angry with you but I can’t just pretend like I’m not falling for you and your daughter, knowing neither of us are fully healed from our past. I don’t want to be just a distraction for you until the next best thing comes along. I just can’t right now.” I shake my head as I choke back tears. I know I’m running; I know I’m scared, and his expression tells me he knows it too.
“Look at me.” His voice is back to demanding. “You have one week, Daphne. Get out of your head and stop overthinking this. We both know this is more than a distraction. One week and I’m coming for you.”
* * *
One week later…
“I said yessss!” Xana holds up her hand, a gorgeous pillow cut diamond catches the light as she wriggles her fingers.
“You said yes!” I shout back to her as I grab her hand to get a closer look at the ring. I throw my arms around her, hugging her tightly. “Oh, you deserve this so much. I’m so happy for you and Ryan.” I look at the ring again. “And damn, he did a really good job,” I say, pretending to be surprised like he didn’t consult me before designing it.
“You knew, didn’t you?” She narrows one eye at me.
