The finality of his words makes the air in my lungs burn. I always thought I couldn’t fail, because if I did, then my large donations would cease. Jenny’s charities would suffer. Other families like mine would pay the price. But now, it’s something else that’s making my mouth dry and my eyes sting.
It’s the thought of Sterling feeling as alone as the defeat in his voice suggests.
“I promised you I’d help. Tell me what I can do.” I take a tentative step toward him.
“You want to know what you can do?” He arches a thick brow, watching me move closer.
“Tell me what you need. What you want.” I stand close enough that his breath falls against my face as I look into his eyes.
His gaze traces down my face, along my jaw, over my lips, until finally coming to rest on my eyes.
He’s struggling to let me in. He must be wishing he never met me.
“Why don’t you start by telling me what you don’t want?” I suggest.
“What I don’t want?” He places his hands on his hips like he needs to grip on to something.
I nod, desperate for a sparkle of light I can grab onto in the darkness. One I can use to pull him free.
“I don’t want Lavinia,” he grits.
“Okay.” I nod, encouraging him to continue.
“I don’t want to hear any more about a single other woman you’ve got lined up for me to meet.”
I hold back my frown. “Okay.”
“I don’t want you to set me up on any more damn dates,” he growls.
His eyes darken and drop to my mouth, cutting off my protest.
“No more, Hallie. It stops now. I’m not attracted to them. I willneverwant them.”
“You’re sure?”
A muscle ticks in his jaw, and he sucks in a breath.
“I’m damn sure. You know why?”
I shake my head, my voice stolen.
“Because none of them consume my every thought. None of them keep me awake at night because I can’t stop thinking about them for even one goddamn minute. No one has ever done that to me before. Not Elaina. Not anyone.” His eyes take on a wildness, like a hunter watching its prey. “Until now,” he rasps.
My core clenches as he leans a fraction closer, and the heat of his body fills the small space between us.
He licks his lips before continuing, a gesture so natural yet it sends bursts of light racing through me as if I'm witnessing something extraordinary. “Now I wake every single night. It’s like my blood has been lit by a fire she started with her smile, her laugh… her very essence.”
“Who is she?” I whisper.
His lips thin into a grim smile.
“Who is she?” he repeats.
I gulp as he stares into my eyes.
“Hallie. If you honestly don’t know the answer to that, then it’s best we finish this conversation here. I’ll settle whatever is outstanding, and we terminate your contract, and you board a flight to London.”
My heart pounds so fiercely I’m scared it might burst out of my chest and fly into his perfectly tailored suit.
