hunger I’d developed since that day in the bathroom. Which sucked because I was pretty certain it was not reciprocated.
Pulling away far enough to look into her eyes, I’d murmured, “One more. And try to act like you’re enjoying yourself this time,” knowing I was playing with fire and that it was only a matter of time before she got fed up and delivered swift physical retribution. Which I more than deserved.
But then I’d caught it, the momentary loss of control over the emotions she held in check with a steel grip. There was a lot going on in that big brain of hers. Reluctance, desire, pride. You name it and I watched it flash across her face. Then worry joined the rest, and my chest got tight and guilt made me look away. She’d thought I was playing her again.
“Somewhere private.” I led her down the marble stairwell of the library and found an alcove out of the direct line of sight of guests coming and going, shielded her body with mine.
“Enough, Scott. I’m tired and I want to go home.”
Her voice was quiet, subdued. I almost wished she’d give me some attitude, even her ice princess impression would’ve made this apology easier. Straightening, I shoved my hands in my pockets.
“I owe you an apology…for what happened back in Wyoming.” I could probably count on one hand the times I’d apologized to anyone in my entire life and this was proving even more difficult than I’d anticipated. Her non-reaction compelled me to continue. “But you had to know what was coming––”
“Excuse me?” she jumped in, her face blanketed with confusion.
“You blackmailed a man you barely knew into marriage. How did you think it was gonna go?”
Her face twitched almost imperceptibly. You wouldn’t have caught it if you didn’t know to look for it. But I did. I knew every slight nuance of her expressions now.
“This is you trying to apologize? Is that what you think you’re doing?”
I was about to explain it to her when she swapped her favorite neutral expression for an indignant one. “You know what your problem is, Scott––you’re a rich asshole who’s always gotten his way. Money has bought you a free pass your entire life, and for the first time it’s cost you.”
I scoffed, almost laughing at the hypocrisy. “You’re lecturing me about money? You––Miss Junior League––lecturing me about privilege?”
“You don’t know anything about me.” She was getting the wrinkle between her blonde brows, the one I’d learned meant she was gearing up for a fight.
“I know you enough.”
Then it hit me. Belatedly, it occurred to me that she hadn’t introduced me to anyone. The room behind us was filled with my father’s people. My family, friends, and acquaintances. Where were hers? “Where’s your family? Why didn’t they come tonight?”
“I don’t…” She looked off for a moment, huffed, retuned with a glare. “Why do you care?”
“Call me curious.”
“I don’t have any family, Curious.”
Under normal circumstances I would’ve laughed. Mrs. Blackstone had a sharp sense of humor and the willingness to wield it as a weapon. But these were not normal circumstances. And, more importantly, I was getting a strong sense that the shit was about to hit the fan and end up all over me.
“You don’t have family?” I couldn’t have heard her right. She had to have family, a big white one. Presumably living in Old Greenwich or Darien and they all spoke with lock jaw and vacationed in Martha’s Vineyard on their sailboats. The ice princess an orphan? Nah, not possible. Those two things did not jive.
She exhaled like she was growing tired of me. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard it and if I was a betting man, which I was, I’d say it wouldn’t be the last either.
“What about friends? I wasn’t introduced to any of them.”
“Yes, you were,” she replied, subdued once again and standing absolutely motionless. I didn’t like it. What I liked even less was the sinking feeling in my gut. An ominous indication that somewhere along the way I’d fucked up again.
“No, I’m pretty sure I wasn’t. I was introduced to your assistant and his husband…” My voice faded as the pieces of the puzzle came together and the answer punched me in the sternum. “He’s your assistant, Sydney.”
“He’s also my friend. Are we done with the inquisition? Because I’d like to go home now. Thanks for the apology, by the way. I’ll treasure it forever.”
I was speechless. She’d robbed me of all my words.