Of course, one of his men came forward and took everything so he didn’t have to. Barefoot, he walked up the roundabout beside me and back into the coolness of the house. My arms locked over my chest as we moved through the house and entered his study.
He shut the door behind him then looked at me.
I stared him down, disgusted by that handsome face.
He clenched his jaw as he tried to find the right thing to say. His eyes shifted back and forth before he looked down and rubbed the scruff of his jaw. He didn’t shave this morning. He looked tired too, like he hadn’t slept. “I’m sorry.”
“That’s it?” I asked, eyebrow cocked. “You’re sorry?”
“It was an asshole thing to say…and I didn’t mean it.”
“I told you not ever to call me that—”
“I know. I lost my temper because you wouldn’t let me explain.” He examined my face, seeing if there was a rebuttal before he could continue. “Marie is a good client. She buys a lot of my diamonds. Her girlfriends buy my diamonds. It’s like free advertising. I didn’t want to offend her.”
“Saying you’re involved with someone isn’t offensive.”
“She wanted more from me, so if I tell her I’m giving that to someone else, she’ll never speak to me again.”
“Is that all that matters to you?” I asked incredulously. “Money?”
His jaw clenched, like he was processing his rage as calmly as he could. “Money. Power. Sex. They all matter to me.”
“I’m not on that list?” I asked quietly.
His eyes shifted back and forth between mine.
I felt my heart in my hands. Felt myself reach out and hand it to him.
“You’re taking this too personally. I could have Marie whenever I want, but I don’t want her at all. I could have any woman I want, but you’re the only one I desire. Marie is beautiful, but I felt nothing for her. Her advances were fucking obnoxious. I just wanted to do business and then have her leave.”
“Now she’s waiting for you to call—”
“And I won’t because I’m too busy fucking you. It’s just business, Camille. We’ve talked about this before. There’s no reason not to trust me. When have I ever said what you wanted to hear just to make you feel better? When have I ever done anything other than give you the cold, hard truth?”
“I want a man who tells the world I’m his.”
“You are mine—”
“That’s not what you said to Marie.”
He looked away for a while, visibly struggling with his anger. “Let’s not forget what this is, Camille. It’s a deal. You give me what I want, and I give you what you want. I’m not your man. I’m your clandestine lover—nothing more.”
It was like a knife between the ribs that sank deep enough to puncture my lung. “And that’s all I am to you?”
He held my gaze, stoic.
“You save me from my nightmares, and I mean nothing to you? You sleep with me, something you said you would never do, and that means nothing? You kiss me like you love me, but it’s just for show? I don’t believe that, Cauldron. You don’t either.”
He didn’t blink, his look was so intense.
“Treat me like that again, and I’m gone.”
He continued to stare.
The conversation seemed to be over, so I stepped around him to leave.
“Sit.” His arm reached out for me, barring me from the exit.
I stared at him for a few seconds before I took a seat.
He pulled his phone from his pocket and made a call on speaker.
I had no idea what he was doing.
A woman answered. “Ready to set sail?”
He looked at his desk across the room, the phone sitting in his hand. “Marie, I should have told you this last night, and I’m sorry that I didn’t. I’m seeing someone, so nothing can happen between us.”
Marie must have been in shock because she didn’t say anything.
“I’m sorry I didn’t mention it sooner. Take care.” He hung up and returned the phone to his pocket. “Does that make it better?” He turned to look at me, standing there like a chiseled statue.
“A little…”
He took the seat beside me, his hand moving to my thigh. “Next time some woman shoves her foot up my ass, I’ll tell her.”
An uncontrollable grin cracked across my face.
That made him smile too—a little bit.
It was hard to hold the grudge when my wounds were healed. It was hard to stay angry with his hand on my thigh, with that handsome smile on his face. When he looked at me like that, it was as if nothing had happened.
TWENTY-SIX
CAULDRON
I walked into that same restaurant.
He was at the same table, in the private room in the back. One ankle rested on the opposite knee, and his arms were squeezed by the gray sports coat. The Omega watch was on his wrist. Arrogance was in his eyes.