“He’s head of risk and export control for a freight company. But that’s all I know. His work was pretty boring—lots of acronyms I just tuned out.”
“Does Paige know? About what her father did to you?”
Another tear.
“No. And I never want her to know. Even though he barely has any time for her, she thinks the world of him.”
“Do you think he would ever do the same to her?”
Her body goes rigid, her eyes wide.
“God, I would kill him,” she says in a raw whisper.
You and me fucking both and I’ve barely even met the girl.
“How do you feel now? Are you afraid of him?”
She’s quiet for a few long moments.
“I feel free for the first time since I met him, but I don’t feel safe. I never used to be afraid of him, but now that I know what he’s capable of and that he really doesn’t care a dime if I die, yes. I’m afraid of him.”
I move over her, taking care not to crowd her after she’s just admitted to being abused by the closest man in her life. My left arm comes down by her right shoulder so she’s beneath me and I’m blocking her view of the ceiling. She has no choice but to look me right in the eye.
“You’re safe now.” My voice is deep with conviction. “While you’re here with me, no one is going to lay a damn finger on you.”
She smiles but there’s a sadness to it.
“I appreciate that August, but I’m only here with you for a week.”
My tone takes a dive. “I can make sure no man in New York ever breathes a word to your face if you don’t want them to. Just say the word.”
Her eyelids flutter, then she laughs. “Thanks, but even I know that’s not possible. You can’t keep tabs on every man in New York.”
I lean into her a touch and speak softly. “That’s where you’re wrong.”
She locks her gaze onto mine as if she’s only now taking me seriously. Then her eyes narrow like she’s studying me. A breath passes and she lifts up onto her elbows, bringing her face dangerously close to mine.
“We should go down to breakfast before people start wondering where we are.”
My gaze falls to her lips as she speaks. I don’t want to go to breakfast. I want to yank down the covers and spread her bare legs. I want to settle between them, kiss the life out of her sarcastic mouth and make her feel so good she forgets she was ever married.
But we made a fucking deal. A trade. Her presence in return for my money. No sex, no favors. Just a straightforward business transaction I now appreciate she was utterly desperate for.
She doesn’t want me. She wants my money. And she wants to earn it fair and square.
I sit back on my side of the bed and watch as she walks into the bathroom and closes the door. Then, even though she’s out of sight, she’s filling every corner of my head.
When I hear steaming hot water from the shower beating down, I snatch up my phone and place a call. A run didn’t help, and that was before I knew about the shit this inconceivably strong woman has been through.
I still want her. If anything I want her more. I also know that she deserves some peace and just the chance to make some honest money.
I won’t be sleeping with Erin Applebaum, so I have to get rid of this burning need some other way.
Erin
August is quiet at breakfast and I wonder if he’s questioning bringing me here.
My story is a little fucked up, I get that. It’s clear I need the money. Maybe he thinks I’m too desperate, or that maybe I’m on the rebound from my marriage and I’ll get too close.
