He stared up at the ceiling, his heart thumping heavily.
“Spencer?” she asked.
He didn’t say anything. What could he say? “I care.” Which were probably the last words he should say.
The silence grew painful. But he couldn’t take it back. It was the truth. He cared. He loved her. So damn much. He’d loved her his whole life. He closed his eyes, his hands fisting in the sheets.
She pulled the blanket up and over her but didn’t say anything. He lay on his side, waiting. But when she did look at him, she broke his heart. Her green eyes were full of unshed tears and her lips were pressed flat. Even though she was stiffening, pulling away from him, he saw the flash of vulnerability—and reached for it. He rolled over her, keeping her close before she completely shut him out.
“Let me go, Spencer.” Her voice trembled.
He brushed his nose against hers, staring down into her huge green eyes. “We need to talk.”
“No, we don’t,” she argued softly.
He shook his head.
“No complications, remember?”
“Just sex?” he asked, an undeniable edge to his voice.
“Yes,” she replied, nodding and blinking rapidly.
“Fine,” he said, bending his head to kiss her. It wasn’t fine. It hurt like hell. And pissed him off. Why wouldn’t she let him apologize? Let him beg for another chance? Yes, he wanted her. He’d always want her, but that didn’t change his feelings. So he poured his frustration, his pain and anger, into his kiss. He kissed her until her arms wrapped around his neck, until she rolled over him and straddled him.
When he slid home, he gripped her hips and held on. It took seconds for him to come undone, for her to find her release. But he held on to her long after they were done. If sex was what she wanted, he’d give it to her. Until he figured out how to change her mind—and he would figure out how to change her mind—sex was the only time she was his.
* * *
“CADY’S ALREADY GOT a client list for you,” Lucy said, pulling up the strap on her plum evening dress.
“She’s...something,” Tatum said, grimacing at her reflection. “This one is a no.”
“She’s assertive. And bossy.” Lucy’s friend Celeste had joined them for shopping. “I can say that because I’ve known her for years but I love her anyway.”
Tatum laughed. “I appreciate her interest. It’s just surprising. She doesn’t really know me. I could be a terrible accountant, bad with people...” She shrugged.
“She’s very girl-power. She knows you’ve been through a painful divorce,” Celeste said, almost apologetically.
Tatum smiled. “It’s not a secret. I know I’m not the last woman to lose her man to another woman.”
“That’s pretty much all it takes for Cady. You’ve been wronged, by a man, she’s going to help out.”
Tatum accepted what Bianca said, but there was one nagging suspicion. “So it’s not to keep me here? I sort of get the feeling that she...all of you want me to stay here?”
“This is your home.” Lucy sighed. “And, yes, I admit, I want you to stay,” Lucy said. “It’s hard being the only girl in a family of boys.”
“You should marry one of her brothers, Tatum.” Celeste was all smiles. “They’re both incredibly good-looking.”
Lucy shook her head emphatically.
“They are good-looking,” Celeste argued.
“Couldn’t do it. I grew up with them.” Tatum reached for the next dress on the rack. “More brother than not. Even if I’ve never had a brother. Jared used to put worms in my pudding. And Dean was always trying to look under my skirt or down my shirt. But he did punch a guy for me once.” She laughed.
“I remember.” Lucy grabbed Tatum’s hand. “We were, what, twelve?”
Tatum nodded. “Twelve was such an awkward time. I got my braces and my boobs. This boy in my class was teasing me—”