Because that something isn’t me.
Itcannotbe me.
He’s my client. He lives in New York. A future with him would mean leaving my parents. Jeopardizing my reputation.
Jenny’s charity will suffer.
I picture his face, recalling the way he called meBaby girlas he kissed me with a passion I only ever thought existed in the movies Jenny loved so much.
But none of that matters.
It cannot be me.
This time the universe has it wrong.
14
STERLING
“You’ve not putthat thing down since we came back from lunch. What is it?”
I glance at Lawson, then loosen my grip on the rose quartz heart before sliding it into my pant pocket.
“A reminder of what I can’t have,” I murmur.
Lawson’s brows rise but he doesn’t push the subject.
“I need to head back. Ashton’s coming in this afternoon to discuss the showing. Thank you for whatever you did there to get him to agree,” he says.
I wave a hand in the air as we both rise from our seats. “It was nothing. Your gallery is the best in the city. He was going to call you anyway.”
Lawson chuckles and claps a hand on my shoulder. “Right… Well, let me know if there’s anything I can do for you. Anytime, okay?”
“Sure.” I smile as I walk him out to the street entrance.
I’ve been back in my office a few minutes when a member of staff who has come in early to take care of the liquor delivery knocks at my door.
“Boss? Ms. Burton’s here to see you.”
“She is?”
I rise from my seat a little too fast and stride around my desk. I’m halfway to the door when he moves to one side and shows her in, closing the door behind her.
I halt.
We’re standing a couple of feet apart, just looking at one another. Her eyes are filled with an uncertainty that hits me like a blow to the chest.
“Hallie?” I murmur, noting the way her pulse flutters in her neck at my voice.
I know what that neck tastes like now. The sounds she makes when she’s writhing against me. The way her moans vibrate beneath my lips as I kiss her skin.
The feel of her nipple against my tongue as she shivers inside my arms.
“Sterling. I…” A beautiful blush stains her cheeks. “I came to apologize for last night. It was unprofessional of me. I should never have let my emotions take over like that. You gave me your trust and I abused it, and?—”
I step forward, making her fall silent.
“Never apologize for anything you’ve done since you came into my life, you hear me? Not one damn thing.”
