Page 92 of Trap ’N’ Trace

I’m getting it from all sides today. Although she probably deserved it. “Let’s talk in here.” She led the way to the sofa and sat.

Colin settled next to her. “What in the world is going on with you? Your behavior last night was unbelievable. I didn’t even recognize you.”

She sighed. “I admit I didn’t recognize myself.” Telling Crystal Lockwood off still felt darned good.

“It’s that FBI agent.” His tone turned bitter. “The minute he came into your life you haven’t been yourself.” That much was true, and she liked the changes. “Are you sleeping with him?”

“Colin!” His prying question lit her fuse. “That’s none of your business.”

“Then you are.” She opened her mouth to again object to his invasive question, but he held up his hand. “I don’t want to know, but for God’s sake, you need to think this through. He’s not one of us, and he never will be.”

“Did it ever occur to you that’s what I like about him?” More than liked. Loved.

Colin made an exasperated sound. “I get it. Chad hurt you, and you were on the rebound when Andrews walked into your life. When you were attacked, he must have seemed like something out of a movie, coming to your rescue. Do you have any idea how much it hurts that I wasn’t the person you turned to? You’re shutting me out of your life.”

“I never meant to shut you out.” Losing him would hurt, but if he couldn’t accept their platonic relationship, she’d have to.

His brow wrinkled. “How do you know he’s not after your money? We all know Chad was.”

“He’s definitely not after my money.” She uttered a laugh. “In fact, sometimes he even seems to resent it.” Which was both good and bad.

He stood to pace in front of the fireplace. “Do you really see yourself with this guy? He’s a federal agent. He’s used to calling the shots and ordering everyone around. A guy like that could never be happy following you to charity events, standing to the side while the press interviews you. He’ll always be in your shadow and he’ll come to resent it. He’ll come to resent you.”

“I think he’s confident enough not to let that bother him.” She frowned. Wasn’t he? I think so. I hope so.

Colin ran a hand through his perfectly coiffed hair, something she’d never seen him do. “He’ll never be able to provide for you because he doesn’t have to. You have enough money to buy out his net worth a million times over. Every man wants to provide for his woman. Do you think he can be with you, knowing that he doesn’t have to?”

She’d never considered those things. “I don’t know,” she admitted, fear coiling in her gut that she’d been so insensitive.

“You have to admit there’s truth in what I’m saying.”

“Some. Perhaps.” An ache grew steadily behind her eyes. One that matched the growing ache in her heart.

“He’ll leave you as soon as the newness wears off. As soon as he realizes being the pet of a very rich, very famous woman isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

She leaned back and hugged a pillow to her chest. Dayne was a proud man. He had every right to be. But was Colin right? Was it fair to do that to Dayne? Worse, was she setting herself up to be with a man who would leave her when he realized how difficult their relationship would be?

Her heart told her what they had was more meaningful than a fling or a byproduct of the intense circumstances that had brought them together.

Colin sat beside her, his voice softening. “You’re infatuated, but it will pass.” Again, he took her hands in his, and this time, she was too numb to resist. “I promise it will.”

Her chest tightened. “I don’t want it to pass.” She was falling more in love with Dayne every day. “Colin.” She jerked her hands away. “It’s time for you to go.”

“Okay. For now. But one day you’ll see that you don’t have to be in love with someone to make a good life with them. For people like us, the best matches are made for other reasons. Practical ones.” He stood. “Remember, I’m here for you. I’ve always been here.”

After he’d gone, she remained on the sofa. Colin would never be the one for her. That hadn’t changed. But he was right. There were other things to consider. Like whether her love was enough to keep Dayne and make him happy.

Her lids lowered, and she could barely keep them open. It was one p.m., and already she was exhausted enough to sleep until tomorrow. She dragged herself to a window and watched one of the guards patrolling the tree line. When she turned around, Dayne stood there, watching her silently.

Needing to go to him—to feel the comfort of his arms around her—she took a step closer then stopped. Her scalp prickled with unease. Rather than being pleased at her stalwart defense of him and their relationship, his expression was unreadable.

“What’s wrong?” She reached for him, but he shoved his hands through his hair, momentarily shutting his eyes. When he looked at her again, her throat constricted painfully.

He didn’t say a word. Didn’t have to. Dark brows drew together and the pain in his eyes was so sharp she felt it dead center in her chest.

Kat didn’t understand how or why, but she knew.

I’m losing him.