was about to leave and let her stew in her own self-hatred and annoyance, but she started speaking again.
“If you want a piece of cheap tail, fine, but you and I both know that she can’t give you what I can.”
“And what the fuck would that be?” He crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at her.
“A pure line of children, without lower-class blood.”
And with that he cursed under his breath and stalked away from her. Fuck her, fuck this situation, and fuck him trying to block out his emotions for Sorcha.
25
Sorcha slowly opened her eyes, the heavy feeling of someone watching her drawing her out of her sleep. After the drama at the dinner party, of Beatrice slapping her across the face, and of Sorcha having the strength to walk away and not retaliate, she had lain in bed and stared at the ceiling.
It had only been a couple of hours, but the ride alone had taken most of that time, especially with the heavy downtown traffic. She hadn’t even waited for Rian, hadn’t called him or even wanted him to come after her.
This wasn’t her life, wasn’t her battle to fight. She had her own problems, her own issues that didn’t have to do with a man she was only fucking for a week’s time, and the bitches that wanted to keep him for themselves. As far as Sorcha was concerned they could have Rian.
But after that thought she felt this tightening in her gut. All she could think about was the talk they had in the car, of the way she felt after laying it out there for him. Could she really be caring about the softer side of Rian Hartford?
Better she block out any and all emotion that had to do with wanting Rian for more than sex, because those emotions would end up getting her hurt in the long run.
Sorcha had been surprised she had fallen asleep anyway, especially with how much adrenaline had been pumping through her veins. She turned and stared blurry-eyed at the clock. It was early, and although she knew Rian hadn’t followed her, for whatever reason, she knew he’d be coming soon.
The moonlight shone through the window, almost iridescent as it illuminated the room.
The feeling of still being watched drew her away from her thoughts, and she pushed herself up into a sitting position and glanced around. At first she didn’t see anything, but then she glanced at the doorway and her heart stopped.
The large body standing there motionless was shrouded by shadows. Sorcha held the sheet to her body, as if covering herself from Rian’s penetrating gaze. She didn’t know how to feel, especially when he took a step into the room, and shut the door behind him.
“I should have gone after you, but I stayed to speak with Beatrice and clear everything up.” He turned his back to her and started taking off his tux.
“You don’t owe me an explanation,” she said softly. In all honesty she didn’t want to talk about it.
He glanced over his shoulder at her as he removed his bowtie, but he didn’t respond. When his jacket was off he started removing his cufflinks, wristwatch, and then took his shirt off. The power in his back, of the way his muscles contracted and relaxed with his movements, of course had heat filling her. She turned away, because she didn’t need this right now.
After a few minutes, and the sound of clothing ruffling, she felt the heat of Rian’s body. With a hand on her shoulder, he turned her so she was forced to watch him. There he stood, in nothing but a pair of low hanging lounge pants.
Sorcha was at least thankful he hadn’t just jumped into bed naked and expected her to fuck him after what had happened.
He sat on the edge of the bed, kept his hand on her arm, but glanced down at the ground, as if he didn’t want to look at her face.
“I want to apologize for the way Beatrice acted tonight. She was drunk, and she let her emotions get the better of her.” He looked at her then, but the way he was positioned and the light through the window, blocked out the front half of him in shadows. “I made sure you got home okay, but I figured you’d want a little time to yourself.” He paused for a moment. “So that’s why I didn’t rush back here and say all of this.”
She licked