Michael was Tony’s secret identity. And Tony Moretti was her fantasy lover.
A wave of pure happiness washed over her, only to be replaced by a flash of anger.
He’d lied to her. Both of them—Tony and Michael. He, they,whoever, had lied to her.
Every day, she’d left Tony for her secret lover, while all the time he’d known exactly who she was running to. And with Michael she’d tried so hard to keep their relationship purely physical. No strings, no nothing. Yet all the time he knew her little secrets, every detail she’d shared with Tony during the daylight.
She tried to hold on to the anger, wanted to nurture it and keep the sadness in check. But it was useless; she couldn’t stay mad.
She knew Tony. Knew him well enough to fall desperately in love. And that meant she knew him well enough to know the depths of his insecurities.
He hadn’t told her who he was for fear she’d turn away. He’d protected his heart, and in doing so, he’d protected her fantasy. Hadn’t she told him a million times how important anonymity was to her?
Well, she’d gotten anonymous all right. But she’d never expected her fantasy to turn around and bite her on the butt.
Be careful what you wish for…
She pulled her knees up, hugging them to her chest, and when the tears came, she didn’t even try to fight them.
So much had changed in the past twenty-four hours.She’dchanged. And even though she’d fought her feelings tooth and nail earlier, deep in her heart, she knew she couldn’t go back to Texas and marry Harold.
She had no idea how she’d save the business—or even if she’d be able to save it—but Tony was right. She did deserve more than a marriage based on a profit-and-loss statement. Harold deserved a woman who truly loved him. She deserved a man whom she loved, and who loved her right back. Just like her mom had found in her dad.
It was scary, risking the business when she could so easily save it. Just two little words—I do. But those were two words she couldn’t say without three other little words, not even for her father. A week ago, yes. But things had changed. She’d changed.
She’d fallen in love, and she owed Tony the world for opening her eyes.
She needed to tell him, and the thought made her smile…until she remembered—she’d already told him.
She’d stood right there with Michael and said the magic word—love. Had said she loved him. Certainly it had been clear enough. He knew she didn’t love Harold, and that left only Tony.
She’d taken the risk, said it out loud and still he hadn’t dropped the facade. Hadn’t said the words back to her. Hadn’t argued when she’d said she was going to marry Harold. Hadn’t tried to talk her out of it. Hadn’t even blinked.
She sniffled, determined not to cry. Love wasn’t always a two-way street. If he didn’t love her, she’d still survive. After a while the pain would lessen and she’d have her memories. Heck, that was more than some people had in a lifetime. She should be grateful, but she wasn’t. Instead, she felt like crawling back under the covers and crying buckets.
She was just about to do that when the door opened. Squinting, she leaned forward, just in time to see black jeans, a T-shirt, dark hair and an eye patch.
Her breath caught. Michael. Tony. Either way, the man she loved.
And, dammit, she wasn’t ready to give up yet. Maybe he hadn’t said the words, but did that really mean he didn’t feel them?
She didn’t know. Not for certain. But she damn sure intended to find out.
* * *
“INEEDEDto see you,” he said, hoping she wouldn’t send him away. “I want to talk to you.” He needed to confess all. And he needed to tell her he loved her.
“I’m glad you came.” She was in her bed, the sheet covering her legs. He saw her shorts on the floor and imagined she had very little on under the covers. He swallowed and reminded himself to keep his eye on the ball, not her skin.
“Why’s that?”
She patted the bed next to her, her grin slightly devious. “Maybe I decided I wanted another night with you, another erotic encounter.”
She let the sheet slip back, revealing her thin T-shirt and a good deal of bare leg. He swallowed. They needed to talk, needed to settle this, but the lure of having her in his arms again enticed him beyond belief. A man was only so strong….
He fought the tug of attraction. Not until she knew the truth. He wasn’t going to lie to her again by omission. He wasn’t going to make love to her again under false pretenses.
“What’s the matter, Michael?” She knelt on the bed, then moved toward him. When she was just a few inches away, she reached out and caressed his cheek. “I thought you might like to know that I’ve decided to call off my marriage.”
