“He fucking touched you?”
I bite my tongue, my eyes zeroed in on a small mark on the floor. “Uh, yeah. You seemed pissed when you left—jealous.”
“I had a shit day, Nina. I’m not jealous.” I hear him blow out a breath. “Things are just a little crazy here at the minute.”
Shit.
I feel bad. Maybe I read him wrong earlier. He sounds so stressed. “Do you want me to come to you? I’m finished for the day.”
“No, get yourself home. I’ve booked you a cab, but it’s not until five. I can rearrange it for earlier?”
“No, five is fine. Where is Vinny?” I ask.
“Taken a week off.”
I frown, but it transforms into a surprised smile. “Surely not on holiday?”
“Yeah, I suppose. He didn’t say exactly, just that he needed some time.”
“Well, yes, I can get a taxi. What time will you be home?”
“I’m not sure. Hopefully not too late.”
“Okay.” He stills sounds off, and I wonder if he is being honest with me about Joey. “I love you,” I tell him.
“I love you too.”
I smile, pleased that we are okay.
With half an hour until my taxi, I plug in my phone and make the most of my time. I press play onElla Eyre“We Don’t Have To Take Your Clothes Off” and let my body move around the studio. No routine or thought, just my body moving like it was made to, along with the beat of the music.
When I’m done, I lie back on the studio floor, my chest rising and falling as the music cuts out, and I’m surrounded by nothing but silence. I close my eyes, smiling between my heaving breaths, welcoming the calm and solace my little studio brings me.
I never feel quite alone here. It feels like home.
* * *
Mase
I standat the bottom of our bed, watching the rise and fall of her chest. How do I get into bed with her, knowing what I’ve done?
I couldn’t come home right away. I sat in my office until every last person cleared out of the building, and then I sat some more, too afraid to come back here and look her in the eye.
She’s about to lose something I know means more to her than anything else.
What if my reasoning isn’t enough?
Stripping down, I pull back the sheets and climb in behind her, my gut twisting with every glance in her direction.
Why does she have to be so good?
So pure?
She stirs, and I freeze, my eyes closing as I slowly slip down under the covers, careful not to touch her.
She settles again, and I scrub at my face, feeling more confused than ever.
I stare up at the ceiling, feeling sick to my stomach.
