“Then I file my report, and I go home. We don’t see each other again.”
“And if I say no?”
“Then I go to Reed, and I’ll tell her exactly what happened tonight. I’ll be pulled from this assignment immediately. I’ll make sure that no one else hears about it. Your reputation will be safe. I wouldn’t do that to you. We either admit to this attraction and lean into it in a responsible manner, or I end the whole thing.”
“You might lose your job.”
“It wouldn’t be your fault.”
“You don’t have to tell her.” Why is he making this so difficult?
“I do. I refuse to lie to her.”
“You leave in a few days. We can?—”
“We’ll mess up.”
He’s probably right. I’m so attracted to him I can barely see straight.
His logic is good. It’s practically airtight. If we’re going to keep ending up against walls in service corridors, it’s safer to do it behind closed doors. On purpose. With ground rules. With an end date.
The only problem is that I am not sure I can sleep with this man for a whole week and then walk away with my heart still in one piece. I like Ridge. I like him more than I want to. He is exactly the kind of male I could fall for if I wasn’t careful, and I’m not at all sure I’m capable of being careful around him. I’ve already proven that. He could really hurt me if I accidentally let him in.
Shit.
I take a breath. I let it out slowly.
“No,” I say.
His expression goes still.
“I’m sorry, Ridge,” I tell him. “My answer is no. I can’t do it. This has to end now.”
He looks at me a beat longer. His throat works. Then he gives a single nod.
“All good.” His voice is quieter than before. “I’ll come by your office in the morning to get the rest of my things. I’ve got some loose ends to tie up and a handover to put together for whoever takes my place. I’ll be quick…I swear. Then it will be back to Security Central and out of your life.”
“I’m sorry,” I say again. “I hope you understand.”
“It’s probably for the better.” He nods one more time. Then he turns. He walks out of my apartment without looking back.
I stand there in the entryway for a long time, staring at the spot where he was.
Did I make a mistake?
No, I did not.
I have to do what is right.
If it’s so right, why do I feel this shitty?
