to point out the good things I did, and he would either ignore it or say it wasn’t good enough. Looking back, I can see where things started to really fall apart. I remember about a year or so before he left, he was always telling her I was her responsibility, not his.”
“Like you weren’t his son?” she asked.
“I wish he wasn’t my father, but unfortunately, he is. My mom was a good woman and wouldn’t step out on him. Plus, sadly, the resemblance between us is uncanny. My mother tried to use that to earn points with him. She always said Aarons genes were strong. Everyone always said I looked just like my dad.”
She looked away, pretending to be really interested in a pepper slice on her pizza. “And then he abandoned you?” she asked softly.
“He did.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but I assume that’s where this attitude of yours comes in, right?”
“My attitude?”
She nodded. “You told me way back when that you didn’t want a family.”
“I don’t.”
“But do you think it has to do with your father leaving you?” she pushed.
I blew out a breath. “If you want to get in my head and look for an excuse to explain my asshole nature, then I suppose yes. I don’t get close to anyone. I have trust issues. In general, I’m one fucked-up guy.”
“I didn’t say that,” she said with a smile. “We all have baggage. Our childhoods help shape us. I guess I can understand you a little better now. I know what makes you tick.”
“Is that a good or bad thing?”
“I’m not sure,” she said. “However, nine years ago, you walked out of my life.”
I didn’t pick up anger but there was something there. “I did.”
“You told me you didn’t want a family. You were certain I was trying to tie you down. I wasn’t by the way. But then you went off and got married. What was that about? Was it me?”
“No,” I said. I owed her an explanation. I had avoided it, but she deserved to know.
“You could have just told me,” she said. “For what it’s worth, I wasn’t trying to trap you or lock you down.”
“I know. It was me. I was kind of a dick.”
“You think?” she said.
“My marriage wasn’t what it looked like.”
“It looked like you were looking for a model with money and fame,” she said dryly.
“I was.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Well then, I guess that clears up any questions I had.”
“No. I mean, yes, but it’s not what you think. I was struggling to reach the next step on my climb to the top. I was close but not close enough. No one would give me a chance. Mel and I met at a party. She knew people. She was looking for a man to keep her living the lifestyle she was accustomed to. I wasn’t really wealthy back then, but she knew I would be. She pushed the idea of marriage, and I’ll admit, she dangled a carrot in front of me I couldn’t resist. Our marriage opened doors. I was able to meet people and get the investment I needed to really step into the financial world.”
“You used her?” she asked.
I wrinkled my nose. “I suppose I did. I didn’t set out to do it. I think we used each other. She liked the idea of being a power couple. For two years, we were. We were invited to every ball, party, and charity event. But at home, we hated each other. She was sleeping with just about every man she could get her hands on. We never loved each other. It was a marriage of convenience. When it was no longer convenient, we divorced. She remarried almost immediately. I chose to throw myself into my work. I’m sorry for what I did. I should have explained it better. I didn’t mean to lead you on.”
She had a look on her face that I couldn’t quite decipher. “You didn’t,” she said and got to her feet. She moved behind me and put her hands on my shoulders and began to massage. “I didn’t hold it against you.”
I laughed. “Liar.”
“Okay, I didn’t like you, but it wasn’t like I dwelled on it. I went on with my life.”
“And had a baby,” I said.
Her hands massaged deeper. “I did,” she whispered.
A moment later, I felt her mouth on the back of my neck. She kissed my neck before moving to my earlobe. Her hands stopped massaging and slid