“No. There’s no in-between for us, Olivia. I can’t come back for you. And I can’t stay. Or we’ll both get hurt.”
I swallowed hard and nodded. I understood. But I was also tired of fighting, and I wasn’t going to get any rest tonight. Not when I didn’t feel safe. Without meaning to, I whispered, “Stay.”
“What?”
Silence stretched between us long enough for me to take it back. To question why I’d said it. To tell him never mind.
Of course, he couldn’t stay, and it wasn’t fair to ask that of him. But my safety had been threatened tonight, and I felt exposed—in more ways than one. David had hurt me tonight by trying to end our relationship. He could do more damage than even Mark Alvarez. Ironically, he was the riskiest, most dangerous thing in my life, and yet I needed him now to feel safe.
“Stay,” I repeated.
I couldn’t see him in the dark, but I felt his struggle. I’d learned tonight that hewantedto do the right thing. It was who he was. But did he want me more? Was it fair to hope he did?
Footsteps crossed the room. The mattress dipped as he got onto the opposite side of the bed, far enough that I would really have to reach to touch him. I wouldn’t, though. Just having him there allowed me to give in. Exhaustion descended. I closed my eyes knowing I was safe tonight, even from him.
19
Iwoke slowly from a deep sleep, my eyes opening to a room gray with broken dawn. Across the bed, David slept facing me, lying on top of the comforter in a white t-shirt and heather-gray sweatpants. At rest with tousled hair, he almost looked relaxed, except that his arms were crossed over his chest. He was so far away that he was almost falling off the bed.
Was it out of respect that he kept his distance? Or had our new arrangement gone into effect at the stroke of midnight?
I could reach out and touch him, pull him close. Snuggle into his chest. Desire welled in me, less urgent than in the past, but deeper. I couldn’t help but think of what he might do if the circumstances were different. Lean over and finish the kiss he’d started in my office, letting his hands wander over my t-shirt. Reach between my thighs and feel my want, my need . . .
He shifted and opened his eyes. “Morning.”
I cleared my throat. “Morning.”
“How do you feel?”
“Good,” I said and meant it. “I slept really well once you stayed with me.”
He nodded and stretched his long limbs before leaning over me to see the clock. “Five to seven.”
“I’m going to be late,” I said.
“Call in sick.” He turned back with a smile far too tempting for my tenuous, early-morning willpower. “You can stay here today if you want.”
“That’s a terrible idea.” I sat up, grimacing as my sore muscles protested. “Setting aside the fact that we agreed to end this, the big party is tonight.”
David sucked in an inhale, and I caught his cringe. “You’re a little black and blue,” he said, also getting up and scooting across the bed. He took my chin in his hand again—something I enjoyed far too much. “The cut looks all right, but your cheek is bruised.” He shook his head and swept the hair from my face. “Poor girl.”
We looked at each other, his hand lingering. The memory of our kiss swept over me again, more vivid with his vicinity. I pushed the dangerous thought from my mind but a sound escaped my lips.
“And what about the wounds I can’t see?” he asked. “We should talk about what happened. What Alvarez almost—”
“Stop.” I set my jaw. Why bring that up? I’d managed to temporarily forget the terror of Mark’s hands on me, on what could’ve happened if David hadn’t returned. Surface scrapes and bruises were easy—once they healed, it was done. But knowing I’d come close to being . . . I couldn’t even bring myself to think of the violation.
I glanced at the comforter between us. “I’m fine.”
“You have to talk about it.”
“I will.” I raised my eyes and ended the conversation, even if it was with a lie. “With Bill.”
“Right.” David glanced away, then lifted himself off the bed. “Let me at least save you a trip home. I can have an outfit sent up from one of the boutiques downstairs,” he said and plucked at his shirt collar. “I’ve got great taste.”
As a new day began, last night’s shock wore off and left no excuses to hide behind. To stay and spend more time with this intriguing, sexy man—who wouldn’t want that? To let him dress me as he would his girlfriend and send me off to work?
It definitely broke the rules of our non-existent relationship.
