The Man I Thought I Loved (Two-Faced #2) - E. L. Todd Page 0,52
was in confidence. I didn’t expect you to launch all that shit at her. It’s a fucking betrayal, Renee.”
She kept her hostility. “Yes, I was cold, but I also told her she would never find a better man, that you were the best in the world. I told her she’d better make this work because she would regret it for the rest of her life if she didn’t. You shouldn’t have lied and deceived her, but there’s so much more to you than that mistake. I also said all of that, but it looks like it didn’t matter to her.”
“She told me what happened in a casual context, simply saying you didn’t like her and it was like a scene in Game of Thrones. She didn’t go deeper into it, and honestly, it doesn’t seem like she cares whether you like her or not. But I still can’t believe you came at her like that, especially when I still wanted her, even then.”
She finally bowed her head. “Look, I wasn’t planning on saying any of that. But when I looked at her…it just came out. It’s hard to be around someone who’s hurting your brother. How would you feel if I asked you to be around William after he hurt me?”
“I wouldn’t like it, but I wouldn’t lose my shit either.”
“It sounds like there’s no harm done anyway, if she doesn’t care.”
“That’s not the point.” I pointed at her. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
“And I apologized—”
“No, you didn’t,” I snapped.
Her eyes fell in guilt. “Okay…I’m sorry.”
“I’m really going out of my way to have a relationship with William, and I’d appreciate a change in attitude so you can do the same.”
“I don’t see how the relationships are the same. William and I are serious and—”
“She’s the one.”
Renee stopped her argument, dropped her attitude. Her arms slackened and fell to her sides. Now her eyes looked at me differently, like she was really hearing me for the first time.
“Make this right, Renee.”
As if she couldn’t speak, she gave a nod.
She opened the door. “Ooh, you brought beer.”
I stepped inside and greeted her with a kiss.
She melted at my touch, just the way she used to, but with more potency.
I moved past her and carried the beer to the fridge. “Where are the guys?”
“Getting the pizza.”
“No delivery?” I met her at the dining table.
“It’s cheaper,” she said. “And Charlie is still at the office.”
I twisted off the cap of my beer, took a drink, and set it down.
“How was your day?”
“Boring.”
“I doubt being a CEO is boring.”
“Let me paint a picture for you.” I came closer to her, feeling that energy that bounced back and forth between us. “Do you have meetings at work?”
“Yes. Weekly.”
“Do you enjoy them?”
She shrugged.
“Well, imagine you’re in a meeting all day, every day.”
“Sounds terrible, but I don’t see how that’s possible.”
“That’s what I do, handle one meeting then the next—over and over.”
“You’re right…that is boring.”
Fall was almost here, so her little shorts and tanks were starting to disappear. Now she was in jeans more often, along with a blouse. But whether she was in sweaty gym clothes or black lingerie, she was gorgeous. Right now, with her bright eyes and subtle smile, she was really something.
I stared at her for a while before the urge overtook me. There were so many times when I wanted to do this but couldn’t because there was an invisible barrier between us. I moved into her, my arms circling her petite body, and I held her close to me.
It was just a hug, but it felt so damn good.
My chin rested on her head, and my hand dug into her hair as I cradled her close, my other arm around her waist. I closed my eyes as I held her, my fingers stroking slightly, and I smelled her hair, felt her presence wrap around mine.
Her arms curled around my waist, and she rested against me, like the affection was just as addictive to her. She inhaled a deep breath then went still, just holding me, letting me hold her.
After a few minutes passed, I pulled away.
She released me, but reluctantly.
I pulled out a folded piece of paper from my pocket and left it on the table.
“What’s this?” She grabbed it and opened it.
“I’m in no rush. I just want you to know where I stand.” Whenever it was time for us to be together, I wasn’t wearing a condom. Condoms were for one-night stands and partners who didn’t mean anything. That