I grab a pair of pants out of my closet and another blouse. But when I look up and see him, I almost climb back into bed with him. He’s rumpled and so damn sexy. His dark hair is sticking up on top of his head, his eyes are hooded and dark with desire while he watches me get dressed. And there’s a suspicious tenting under the sheet. I flush when he grins.
“You know you love it, baby girl.”
“I do,” I whisper. “But I need to work too.”
“Fine,” he huffs. “But I’ll be down in fifteen minutes and that asshole better keep his fucking hands to himself. He’s not the one. That’s always been me. You described me to a t, baby girl.”
My head whips around, my mouth dropping. “Wait, what! What did you just say?”
“Nothing.” He turns away and starts to slide out of bed.
I run around and stand in front of him. His eyes dart past me. “What did you say?”
“I just said I’m perfect for you. You have to admit that that’s true. You’ll never find anyone else that loves you as much as me.”
“Did you hear me talking on the phone? Did you follow me here? Was this all some weird ass trick to get some?”
“No!” His eyes jump to mine but I can see the guilt in their dark depths.
“It is. This was all planned. You heard me on the phone and thought, ‘let’s play with the little woman’s head’. That’s sick.” Tears run down my cheeks and I swipe at them, glaring. “I don’t want to see you again, Steele. I don’t trust you. And where there’s no trust, there can’t be love.”
I stomp out of the room and he follows after me, trying to yank his pants on, hopping to keep up with me. “Dammit, Cleo! I fell in love with you the first time I saw you! This was never a game. It’s always been life or death. Because if I can’t have you I might as well be dead.”
“Please,” I sniff, holding out my hand. “Don’t insult my intelligence. I knew there was something up with this. A man like you falling for someone like me? Crazy, huh?”
“For a beautiful, smart, sexy as hell woman? Why the hell is that crazy? I love you, Cleo. Please don’t leave. Let’s talk about this,” he begs.
“I’ve said all I need to say. Good-bye, Steele. Don’t be in here when I get back home.”
CHAPTER8
Steele
It feels like a mule kick to my gut. “You don’t mean that, kitten. Just let’s talk about this.”
“Too late. There’s nothing left to say. Good-bye, Steele.”
And she walks out the door, her head held high, blonde curls dancing in the light breeze as the door slams behind her.
“No,” I groan, running my hands through my hair wildly.
I run out the door in my bare feet, with no shirt on.
“Cleo? Please!” I groan, falling into the wall.
“You fucked up didn’t you?” A sarcastic voice says at my back. I turn to find Rafe standing behind me.
“I might have.”
“Well, let’s go talk and I’ll get you a drink.” His eyes rake down my body. “But first, you need some clothes. You just look pathetic right now.”
“Alright.” My shoulders slump and I head back to my hotel. Rafe follows me in the room and nods.
“I swear this place never changes. Still looks like it did when I was in school.”
I slump down. “What am I gonna do?”
“First, tell me what happened. Then I’ll help you fix it.”