“Convenient.”
The elevator dings, and the doors open. I stride out, Kain keeping pace beside me as I exit the building and head into the parking lot.
“Anne, please. Just talk to me.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.” I reach my car and fumble for my keys. “Last night was a mistake. I’m moving on with David. You need to leave me alone.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Then, I’ll report you for workplace harassment.” The words come out sharp, desperate. “I mean it, Kain. Stop following me. Stop sending me flowers. Stop interrupting my life.”
An odd look flickers across his face. Hurt, maybe. But he masks it quickly.
“Fine,” he says quietly. “If that’s what you want.”
“It is.”
He steps back, giving me space to get into my car. I slide behind the wheel, pull the door shut, and lock it. Through the window, I can see him standing there, hands in his pockets, watching me with an expression I can’t quite read. I start the engine and drive away without looking back.
When I get home, I eat, take a shower, and climb into bed to sleep away my problems. I feel drained by my own feelings, and I need to rest.
My phone rings, and David’s name flashes on the screen.
Crap. Were we supposed to have dinner tonight?
I stare at his name, my finger hovering over the answer button. I should pick up. But I don’t want to, even though I know I should take this step forward with someone who actually wants to be with me and isn’t playing games with my heart.
Stupidly, all I can think about is Kain. The way he looked at me in the parking lot tonight. The white lilies he gave me. The note that said, “I’m sorry. For everything.”
The way his body felt against mine last night. The way he kissed me like he was drowning and I was air.
The phone stops ringing. Goes to voicemail.
I set it down on my nightstand and pull the covers over my head.
What the hell am I doing?
Chapter Thirteen
Kain
I know I told Anne that I’d leave her alone, but that was a lie. I’ve already told so many, an extra one couldn’t hurt. It was merely my way of conceding for the night. For the weekend, even.
On Monday, I was back to putting my all into fixing things between us. More importantly, I was back to making sure that David’s chances were next to zero.
Today marks three days of making absolutely sure he understands that I want Anne and am not backing down. Although she is still angry with me, I have no intention of giving up. In fact, it’s the exact opposite.
Every move David makes, I counter. Every gesture, I upstage.
I’m there to walk her to her car every night after work, not caring that David is waiting and clearly trying to speak with her.
When he brought Anne coffee two mornings ago, I had her favorite sandwich delivered to her desk an hour later—roast turkey and avocado on rye with extra mayo, no tomatoes. The same order she brought to my office weeks ago when she was still trying to figure out if I felt the mate bond. I watchedher stare at it, confusion flickering across her face before she carefully wrapped it back up and put it in her bag.
When David held the conference room door open for her yesterday, I helped carry her files back to her desk afterward. Made sure to brush her hand when I took the stack from her, saw the way her breath caught even as she glared at me.
David’s frustration has been growing more obvious by the day. I can see it in the tightness around his eyes, the way his jaw clenches when he sees me near her.
Good.
