I cross the room and pick up the receiver. A name. A place.
I hang up.
“You’re leaving,” she says behind me.
It’s not a question, it’s an accusation wrapped in disbelief. I turn toward her. “Yes.”
Her eyes narrow. “Now?”
I nod once.
She laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “Of course. Of fucking course.”
“Martine.”
“No, don’t ‘Martine’ me,” she moves toward me, arms folded, the cotton robe still hanging off one shoulder. She looks furious. Fragile. Beautiful. “You finally give me something real, and now you’re just,poof.Gone.”
I arch a brow. “You think this morning wasreal?”
Her jaw clenches.
“You think the way I kissed you wasn’t calculated?” I say, voice low, clipped, “You think I didn’t know exactly what I was doing when I fucked you from behind while you were asleep, wearing my mother’s jewels?”
She flinches, but holds her ground. I have no choice. The moments we’ve shared, I’ve given too much. She’s taking too much. I need to remind her of her place.
“It was real forme,” she says. “More than last night. More than anything. And Ineed—”
“You don’t needanythingbut what I give you,” I cut in, stepping closer.
Her breath catches. She doesn’t argue.
“I have to go,” I say.
“Stay,” she says, immediately. It’s not soft. It’s not a command. It’s...bare.There is a crack in her voice that I detest.
I say nothing.
She steps closer again, arms wrapping around herself. “Please, Hayden. Just this once. Ten minutes. Five. I don’t care. Justdon’t walk away from me right now.”
Her voice cracks.
And something about that—
Itannoysme.
Because she’s getting too close to the part of me thatwantsto stay. The part I don’t show anyone. I can’t risk it.
“Even if I could ignore them,” I say, quieter now, with more venom in my voice, “I won't.”
She needs to remember the villain I am.
Her lip trembles, and she bites it hard, trying to hold herself together. “Please stay.”
I stare at her, not liking the look on her face. I feel angry at what it’s doing to me.
“You’re being cruel, but I know why,” she whimpers, and all I can do is tilt my head and stare at her. “I know it’s the only way you know.” She says softly.
And she's right. I don’t bend for anyone.
