Crave (His Second Chance with Heiress Bryn Christmas Duet #1) - Z.L. Arkadie Page 0,49

banged him by then.

“What about Dale?” I asked. “Aren’t you two in love?”

She glanced at Alex as he helped Alana place the textiles that we were going to use in that room in position.

“I don’t think anyone can be with Dale because of love. I mean, did you used to love him?”

My eyes widened. I was shocked by her answer. “I thought I did.”

“Well, I guess I know I don’t. We’re together right now at least, but who knows what tomorrow will bring.” Her eyes smoldered as she pointed her chin at Alex. “What’s his story, anyway?”

Nausea bubbled in my stomach. Eden wasn’t the first client to salivate over Alex, but I feared she would be the first to make a serious effort to bed him.

I stepped in front of her, blocking her view of Alex. When I had her complete attention, I folded my arms. “Eden?”

She shook her head. “Yeah?”

“I want you to stop sexually harassing the men that work for me and my boyfriend. Got it?”

Her mouth fell open as if not only had I offended her, but she also had no idea what I was talking about. That was fine. I didn’t care. However, my warning was real, and we both knew that I didn’t need to finish her house. There were more than a hundred clients clamoring to take her spot.

“Fine,” she finally said. “I’m sorry.”

I nodded sharply. “I accept your apology.”

From that moment onward, we got down to some serious business and made remarkable headway. Alex made a lunch run to the same sandwich shop where Dale had bought the hero sandwich for me the other day. However, I had Alex get me the roasted turkey on toasted rye with Dijon mustard. We ate as we worked.

We made it to the third floor, and as we packed to leave, I went to the toilet. I was finished and washing my hands when I heard the doorknob turn. Stiffening, I watched in horror as Dale slipped into the bathroom.

Time stood still as we stared at each other. His cloudy gray eyes were glossed over, his skin was patchy red, and he was staring at me as if he wanted to eat me alive.

“Finally, we’re alone,” he said.

I wondered what had changed. The others must have moved downstairs, leaving me alone upstairs. I’d avoided putting distance between me and Eden. I knew Dale like the back of my hand. He wouldn’t try to make a move on me if she was near.

“What do you want, Dale?” I heard myself ask. It was as if I was having an out-of-body experience.

“Is this really how we’re going to end things, Bryn? I still love you, you know.”

I was speechless as so many words were forging a traffic jam in my head. “Why are you here?” I finally asked.

“Because I wanted to talk to you alone.”

I shook my head. “No. Why are you in Vail at this house with Eden? How did that come to be?”

The longer he stared at me, the more his eyes narrowed. I snorted, knowing he was trying to conjure an answer.

“Could you be honest for once?” I asked, throwing up a finger emphatically.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “You’re so fucking sexy. Could we just… one more time for old time’s sake?”

He was blocking the door. I glanced at his cock—it was swollen. In the past, that would be the moment I would give in. He wanted me. Someone wanted me. I would let him have me. But as I stood there, I felt stronger than ever. My brokenness had been fixed.

“No,” I said, shaking my head adamantly. “I’m over you. And you probably should get some help or something. I see you’re still eye fucking other women while sitting across from your current girlfriend. And now you’re in here trying to do me.” I folded my arms, raising my chest high. “Can you see that you have a big problem, Dale? Huge, glaring issues.”

That glossed-over look hadn’t left his eyes. “What do you want from me, Bryn? Whatever you want, I’ll do it. Just… I miss you. And I don’t like that guy for you.”

He was moving toward me.

I shot an arm out. “Do not come closer.”

Dale stopped in his tracks. I knew he would. Suddenly, I was struck by déjà vu. We’d been in the same situation on many occasions.

I snapped my fingers. “Earth to Dale. Come out of it.”

He blinked hard until his eyes had softened. We were staring at each