dismiss Kathleen, because I’m not going to terminate her position given that her only crime is her attractiveness. That’s an insult to her brilliance and her contribution to the world and our research, and it’s also completely sexist.”
“I would never—”
“Even if she did make a pass at me, that’s not a fireable offense. So, you either trust me or you don’t. That simple.”
“Of course, I trust you.” I wiped away my tears, looking him in the eye even though I was still an emotional mess. “I just…I guess I was just intimidated by her.”
“You have no reason to be.”
“But when she thought I was your assistant, she—”
“That’s your fault. Not hers. You could have told people we were together, but you chose not to. You know I’ve never wanted that. Frankly, I’m fucking tired of pretending to be something I’m not. I’ve stayed patient because I know how important your job is to you, but honestly, I fucking hate it. It’s the first time in my life that I’m in love with a woman…and it has to be some dirty secret.”
“It’s not forever—”
“I understand, Cleo. But don’t get mad at her for going after a man she wants—if you won’t tell her that I’m yours.”
Deacon was still in a bad mood.
His energy was palpable in the car, contaminating the air around us, recycling through the AC system. He wasn’t furious like he had been before, but he wasn’t happy either.
I waited for him to tell the driver to take me home.
But he didn’t.
Thankfully.
We pulled up to the building then stepped into the elevator.
Normally, I would have refused, afraid of being spotted going to his residence just before midnight. But Deacon was annoyed with me, and I thought it would be unwise to bring it up right now.
We walked down the hallway, and he got the door open.
Once we were alone together, I relaxed. No one was coming and going this late, or at least a resident hadn’t been in the elevator when we stepped inside. I knew every single client by name and face, so they’d recognize me instantly.
Deacon tossed his keys and wallet onto the table and headed down the hallway, letting his jacket slide off his arms as he moved.
I followed him, unsure what to do. He wouldn’t want me to go home alone at this hour, so he must want me to spend the night. My heels tapped against the hardwood floor quietly as I made my way into his bedroom.
The components of his suit had already been tossed into the dry-cleaning receptacle. His dress shoes were off, placed on the shelf in his closet. Now, he was in just his boxers, ripped and strong, his skin a deeper shade after our weekend at the beach.
Silently, he went into his bathroom and got ready for bed.
I set my clutch on my nightstand then slipped off my heels. Instead of putting them away neatly like he did, I kicked them aside. The zipper on my dress was to the side, so I got it loose and let the red dress slide off to the floor.
It reminded me of the spot where the woman had left her red panties.
I left my panties on because I didn’t want to get my expectations up. After I got into bed, I closed my eyes.
Deacon came out a moment later and flicked off the lights so the bedroom would be dark. He got under the sheets on his side and lay there, on his back, his eyes open and looking at the ceiling.
I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know how to make this better.
He turned on his side and looked at me.
I whispered into the darkness. “I’m sorry…”
He watched me, his brown eyes impenetrable.
My hand slid across no-man’s-land and touched his forearm, my fingers lightly stroking him.
“Maybe the past made me insecure…for a moment. My husband left me for a better woman. I was afraid you would do the same.”
His gaze was still solid like concrete. “I made the same mistake with you. I assumed you would be like Valerie, and that was wrong. So now, we’re even. Just don’t let it happen again.”
“Okay.”
“Because I would never lie to you, cheat on you, leave you for another woman.”
“Never is a strong word, Deacon.”
“And I can say it. Because I love you. Really love you.”
I loved him hearing him say that. It made me feel invincible, like nothing could ever hurt me again. My fingers wrapped around his wrist, wanting to hold