her, and she lets out a soft breath, her fingers unclenching my shirt. “Being with you wasn’t the problem. It’s just that you’ve never said those words, and I’ve never felt like that before. It’s like…” Her eyes darken. “It’s like it wasn’t you saying them.”
I almost don’t ask because I’m afraid of the answer. “Has another man ever called you that?”
She shakes her head. “No. But that feeling.” A shiver ripples down her spine. “I’ve had bad dreams all my life. So bad I’d wake up screaming.” She inhales a labored breath. “I thought I got them under control. But then you came into my life, and I moved in here, and they came back. This scratching in the back of my head started again. But none of it’s the same, Dominic. Everything’s different. More vivid. More real. I’m seeing things and hearing things. Things that make no sense.”
“Rook, your life was upended. All that stress has to come out somehow. Not to mention the pressure you’re under with the movie and the constant press. It’s enough to drive anyone—”
“Crazy?” she finishes with a sad smile.
“You’re not crazy.”
“No? Then why did I lose my shit when you called me your ‘special girl’? Why did your face turn into zigzags, and why did I hear a woman laughing? If I’m not crazy then why do I keep counting in my head, but only make it to five before my throat feels like it’s stuffed with cotton balls? Answer me that.”
God, I wish there was a way I could.
Emotion claws up my throat as I trail my thumb down her cheek, catching the tears as they fall. I can’t give her answers, only a vow. “I will never let anyone hurt you.”
Not even you.
“Promise?” Tears fall harder as she collapses against me, her lips seeking a confirmation she won’t find. Instead of offering hollow words, I seal my vow with the only honest thing between us. I push her skirt up as she frantically undoes my belt. The minute I sink into her, she throws her head back, her cries drowning out my curses.
Curses because everything’s unraveling.
Curses because I’m not sure she knows whether her tears are from coming undone or coming unglued.
And curses because I won’t make her a promise I can’t keep.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Angel
“I don’t know why you look like you’re about to throw up. It’s my ass on the line. You’re just arm candy.”
I look across the limo to find a crooked grin tugging at Noah’s mouth. “Sorry,” I mumble, smoothing my fingers over the red beads of my gown. “First red carpet jitters.” Then catching myself, I add, “You know, that I remember.”
He waves a dismissive hand. “Piece of cake as long as you follow three rules.” Straightening his already perfect bowtie, he ticks them off on his fingers. “Don’t trip, smile like you’re at Disneyland, and don’t trip.”
“You repeated rules one and three.”
He nods, taking a generous sip of champagne. “Then you should listen.”
“Isn’t that a little dramatic?”
“So is taking out an entire row of ABC affiliates.”
I laugh, breaking the tension and my nerves, which never seem to settle these days. In the two weeks since our confrontation on the balcony, Dominic and I have existed in a calm and even-keeled state.
I hate it.
I miss the old Dominic. The one who threw out sarcastic comments and dared me to come back at him. The one who riled me up just to watch me burn, then turned up the heat and melted me into oblivion.
I know he still wants me. The passion is as potent as ever. It’s the presence that’s gone. We may be together, but he’s not with me. He’s somewhere else, and I don’t know how to bring him back.
“Don’t worry, doll,” Noah says, covering my hand. “He’ll be here.”
Yeah, lurking in the crowd pretending not to know me.
I force a smile. “I know. However, I’m happy to be your date. Even if it wasn’t by choice.” As always, my timing is impeccably bad. Noah’s good mood fades, the reminder drawing a scowl to his chiseled face.
Our pairing is another Greg Rosten publicity stunt. After Noah’s announcement sent our ill-fated “romance” down the toilet, Rosten has taken every opportunity to get back at him by putting me on his arm, making sure Brent stays hidden in the shadows.
Case in point, tonight—the red carpet premiere of Noah’s latest movie. A moment Noah should be sharing with the man who owns his heart, not me.
It’s not much