Reyna’s eyebrows rose at her entitled tone. “I…uh…maybe I should…” She hitched her thumb over her shoulder and started to back away. Beckham could handle the situation.
“Oh no,” Penelope snapped. “By all means, stick around. It’s not like what I’m saying should come as any shock to you. I thought it was already obvious that I was better than you in every way.”
“Penelope,” Beckham said, his voice low and disapproving.
“What? We all know it’s true. I don’t accept that this ends any other way for me. There is no way that you fuck me, drink from me for over a year, and then leave me for some warehouse rat. I always get what I want, and what I want is you.”
“No, you want what you cannot have. I have already told you time and time again that this isnotwhat I want. We arenottogether,” Beckham said, putting himself between Penelope and Reyna. “I didn’t want to have this conversation in front of Reyna, but you’re leaving me no choice here.”
“No choice?” Penelope laughed in a short burst. “You had every choice. You could have picked me. Look at me, Beckham. I am the most sought-after woman in this city. I could have anyone I want, but I want you. You and me against the world.”
“Penelope, you and I were over long before Reyna entered my life. So, don’t try to pin it on her,” he said, holding up his hand to forestall her protest. “We were a dalliance. We had fun. But I never gave you the impression that this was going to be long term.”
“You never gave me the impression?” she nearly shouted. Her eyes widened, round as saucers. Her eyebrows lifted incredulously. Her mouth dropped open. “Are you fucking kidding me? I just… I can’t believe you’re even saying this. We were supposed to be together, and now you’re gaslighting me about our relationship. A fucking dalliance, Beckham?” She shook her head. “I have nothing to say to that absurd notion.”
“I’ve been saying all this from the start. We’re not together.”
“Sure. Whatever. Go fuck yourself,” she spat. Then she turned on her heel and strode away from them, down the hallway.
“Fuck,” Reyna whispered. “Maybe we should go after her.”
Beckham flexed his hands. “Just let her go. She needs to blow off steam. I think reality finally sank in, and she has to come to terms with it. I’ll talk to her after she’s cooled down again.”
As soon as Reyna entered her room, she collapsed into bed. Beckham followed behind her, carefully stripping her out of her clothes and tucking her in. Her eyes fluttered shut as soon as she hit the pillow.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered deliriously.
“Why are you apologizing?”
“For Penelope.”
“You aren’t responsible for her actions.”
“Still sorry.”
Beckham kissed her temple. “Don’t worry about her.”
“Okay.” Reyna sighed. “Will you do me a favor?”
“Perhaps.”
“Hold me?”
He crawled into bed, his movements as lithe as a panther. His hands moved around her body with her back pressed into his chest. They fit together perfectly. As one.
“Another favor?” she mumbled.
“Hmm?” he breathed into her ear.
“Stay through the morning?”
“It is morning.”
“Stay all day.”
“For you.”
She sighed deep in her throat and then let the tension finally leave her body.
