And he would find out because she’d tell him.
But how would she do that?
Eventually, she fell asleep.But when Karim stirred next to her, waking her just a few short hours later, she still hadn’t come up with an answer.There was no good way to tell Dan.She simply had to rip off the Band-Aid to minimize the pain.
“At least I’ll always have you, sweet cheeks.”Snuggling with Karim gave her some perspective.She made him breakfast, and only after he’d settled to play on the floor with a pack of cards did she log on to her laptop again.
The views on their Part One video had doubled overnight, but the joy was quickly overshadowed by another email from Juliana tainting her inbox.
Alicia Hunter is flying to London to visit “a friend.”Is she gearing up for a showdown with Isabella at that swanky bar she’s always hanging out in?Find out.$$$
Libby didn’t know which bar Juliana was referring to, but if details like these were already circulating, it was only a matter of time before the truth—however it would be painted—hit the headlines.
“Morning.”Dan’s voice made her jump, and Karim let out his happy little cheer.He ran up to Dan and showed him the mess he’d made with the cards.
“Hey,” Libby said against the crack in her throat.“Did you sleep okay?”
“I slept alone.”The fact that he noticed both warmed her heart and made her wince.
He’s gonna hate me.
“I hope you didn’t work too late,” he said.
“No.I had stuff on my mind.”
Like how you’ll never want to talk to me again.
Dan gave her a little frown, but Karim was babbling on, so he patiently turned back to listen to him, then lowered himself awkwardly to the floor to make patterns with the cards like Karim had been doing.Libby’s heart melted, and her gut winced again.
“What kind of stuff was on your mind?”he asked, the frown between his eyes deepening as he shuffled cards.“Is everything all right?You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
She had.A ghost from her past that was now going to wreck her future.
How could he trust me again once he knows?
“Dan…” Unable to watch the crash, she covered her face with her hands.“There’s something I need to tell you, and you’re not going to like it.”She took a deep breath and ripped off the Band-Aid.“You know how you hate reporters who hunt people down for stories?You know how you thought I’d do that to you too?Well… Oh, god.I’m sorry, but…” She took a deep breath.“I used to be one of those reporters.I’m not anymore, you’ve got to believe me, but I did things…” Then all the details of her work withHot Gossipbled out of her, pooling on the floor between them.“I’m not proud of it,” she said quickly.“And I didn’t tell you sooner because I don’t want you to hate me for it.”
She turned away, not strong enough to see the rage flash across his face.The disgust.Nor the painful, disappointing fact that if he blew up at her like he’d done that night on Atiu, she’d have to throw him out and never see him again.Game over.Everything they’d done together.The fun times.The companionship.The sex.Their work…
And what about Karim?Her baby loved to play with Dan, and that too would end.
Tears burned her eyes as she waited for him to storm out.And good riddance if he did.She’d be mad as hell too, because if that’s what he’d be like, he could go to—
“Libby?Hey.”A hand pressed on her shoulder, and her softly spoken name reached her brain.“Come here.”He pulled her against his chest.“I… I don’t know what to say.Wow.That’s the last job I’d ever imagine you doing, but…but there’s no need to cry.”
Oh, god, she was actually crying now.She hadn’t realized.Embarrassed, she sniffed and wiped her eyes.“You don’t hate me?”
“Of course, I don’t.”He cocooned her in his arms again.“I’m surprised someone like you did that, but don’t be upset.”
Engulfed in his solid warmth, the ache in her chest increased, gripping her.Reviving her.Making her heart beat faster, deeper.Louder.The roller coaster soared.Wind whistled in her hair.
Dammit.
She loved him.He’d captured her heart.He’d become so much a part of her life in such a short time.He was the missing piece she hadn’t known she’d needed to feel complete.
“I’ve searched your name a few times,” he said.“Why is it that noHot Gossiparticles have ever come up?”
“Everyone is kept anonymous, for obvious reasons.”
