I doubt he’s looking for someoneto fix his PR scandal, but rather something within him.
He steps toward the wall-lengthwindow that looks out over the city. Golden sunlight pours across skyscrapersand mid-rises.
I approach him from behind. “Youokay?” I ask.
He shakes his head. Then he whirlsaround, throws his arms around me, and kisses me.
I’m surprised by the intensity ofthe attack, but I figure he’s just trying to make it all go away. The pain. Thesting within him.
He stops kissing and just keepshis arms around me, tucking his head into my shoulder.
I hold him close. I can tell thisis what he really needs right now. Someone to be here for him, especially sincehe’s felt like he’s never had that with his mom or Kiernan.
It hurts me knowing how much painhe’s in and that I can’t do anything to help him.
A wave of energy surges through mybody—a satisfying feeling rippling through me that feels more content thananything I’ve experienced in our frenzied sexual experiences. With it comes amental warning that reminds me this cannot last.
Forty-Seven
Tad
Bryce tosses his undershirt on as I crawl to the edge of thebed until I’m crouched down right before the crotch of his pants. He starts tolean down to grab his button-up, but as we’re face-to-face, he settles there,looking into my eyes.
“Maybe one more time before you go?”I say, giving him as seductive a look as I can manage.
I can tell he’s enticed, but if hedoesn’t get out of here, he’ll be late for his video conference with Roeder.Just a routine check-in.
“I’d love to, but duty calls.” Heoffers a kiss. “I’ll be back in a few to make up for it, though.”
Once he leaves, I shave, pluck myeyebrows, shower…the usual morning routine.
A knock.
I wrap a towel around my waist andhead to the door to find Kiernan standing outside. In a Cowboys’ shirt andjeans, his hair concealed beneath a baseball cap, he has a guilty expression onhis face.
“Can we talk?” he asks in a waythat assures me he’s come here to make peace.
I turn away from him and walk backinto the hotel room. I’m sure he can figure out that my not telling him to fuckoff is the best he’s going to get in terms of an invitation. When I turn backaround, I see his gaze has settled on the floor. I follow it to Bryce’sbutton-up. I forgot that he hadn’t grabbed it before he left, as I’d distractedhim with my desire for more.
I’m only surprised by it for amoment before I turn back to Kiernan and stand tall. If he wants to make a bigdeal out of this, that’s on him. I don’t have anything to be ashamed of.
He crushes the shirt in his hand.
“How long?” he asks.
“What does it matter?”
His face turns red, and he barksout, “Because I want to know how long I’ve been right about this.”
“Pretty much since the beginning.”
He grits his teeth. “Goddammit.”
He raises his fist and bashes itinto the dresser at his side, making the brass handles rattle against the wood.
“You just have to fuck everythingup, don’t you?” he says.
Obviously, he’s abandoned hismission for peace.
