Unforgotten Passion (The Sinful 4)

She searched his expression and realized that she couldn’t read his emotions. Oh, she’d definitely felt them last night the times he was deep inside her body and looking into her eyes as he took her over the edge. But this morning, it was as though he was stepping back . . . and letting her go because he knew it was the right thing to do. Again.

The love she still harbored for him crowded in her chest, wanting to break free, but she kept the words locked inside. For now. Raevynn knew there was something special between them, and definitely a new foundation that they could both build upon, but how could she ask Collin for a commitment when she didn’t yet know what she could give him in return? She couldn’t make any promises until she resolved things with her mother and career, because when she came back to him, she wanted to do so wholly and completely, with nothing standing between them.

Her time here at the beach with Collin had been like a perfect fairy tale, but it was time to return to reality and everything that waited for her. She just hoped and prayed he waited for her, too.

The ride back to the city was more silent than Collin would have liked, but he left Raevynn alone with her thoughts, knowing she had a lot of issues to sort through and decisions to figure out. Not to mention a controlling mother to confront.

Yeah, he didn’t envy Raevynn the clash of wills that was bound to ensue, but this woman sitting beside him had emerged as strong and confident over the past few days. Decisive and determined. And as much as he would have liked to be by her side to support her when she talked to her mother, this was her battle to fight, and she was a warrior. He had no doubt she’d come out victorious.

As for the two of them being together as a couple beyond these past few days . . . well, he didn’t have a crystal ball and his stomach churned with uncertainties. Did he believe they were still in love with each other? Absolutely. Did he want to spend the rest of his life with her? Undoubtedly. Two people didn’t share the kind of deeply personal conversations and physical intimacies like they did without their hearts being involved. But neither one of them had offered up the declaration, and as difficult as it was for him not to blurt out his feelings for her, he refused to use those emotional words to make her stay.

Bottom line, her life was complicated, and she’d built a successful career as a revered pop star that not many musical artists achieved. The last thing he wanted was for Raevynn to feel torn between him and her singing aspirations, or pressured to give up anything for him, which he’d never ask her to do. He needed to know, if she came back to him, it was of her own free will. Because she wanted him in her life and he fit into it. And right now, he wasn’t sure that he did.

Finally reaching the Plaza Hotel, he pulled up to the d

rop-off area and watched as Raevynn slipped on the oversized, white-framed glasses he’d bought for her at the boardwalk. Between her super-short hair and concealing half her face, there was a good chance people wouldn’t recognize her as she walked through the lobby.

She grabbed the tote bag that she’d put all her things into from the back seat, then turned toward him, a soft smile of gratitude on her lips. “Thank you, Collin. For everything.”

He really did hate those sunglasses. He couldn’t see her eyes. Couldn’t read her expression. “Good luck with your mother,” he said, his tone a bit gruff when he really wanted to say, I love you.

A valet opened the car door for her, and she stepped out of the passenger side of his vehicle. He felt as though his heart was being torn in two inside his chest. He’d given Raevynn his cell phone number and the address to his apartment. He’d told her if she needed him, he was there for her. Always.

So, with his stomach in a thousand knots, he watched her walk away and into the hotel, trying to convince himself he was doing the right thing by letting her go.

Chapter 15

Walking away from Collin was one of the hardest things Raevynn had ever done. She told herself it was temporary, until she laid down some new ground rules with her mother and made her feelings clear on a lot of things. Including the man she loved and wanted in her life for good. He’d given her so much in such a few short days. Focus. Determination. The confidence to know what she wanted out of her life and the courage to dictate her own future.

She grinned to herself. Rapunzel was about to bust free of her tower for good.

Since Raevynn didn’t have a hotel key card for the penthouse on her, or any form of identification, the front desk had to call up to the room to announce her presence. She heard a voice on the other end of the line, then the clerk nodded and hung up the phone.

“Someone will be right down to see you,” he said, and if he realized who she was, he didn’t show it.

“Thank you.” She strolled toward the elevators, expecting her furious mother to be the one to come down and get her. Much to Raevynn’s surprise and relief, when the doors slid open, it was Glen, her bodyguard, waiting inside.

He was wearing one of his fitted suits and motioned her into the lift. When she joined him and it was just the two of them alone, ascending toward the top of the hotel building, she took off her glasses and smiled at the other man.

“Good to see you, Glen,” she said, not missing the shocked expression on his face as he looked at her short hair.

He recovered quickly. “Welcome back,” he returned, his tone wry. “Looks like you made quite a major change while you were away.”

She gave her head a little toss to make the layered waves bounce and laughed. “I did.”

“I like it.” His tone was sincere as his gaze came back to her face. “You look . . . rested. And happy.”

“I am,” she said softly. “To both.”

Glen inclined his head. “I’m glad to see your guy took good care of you.”

“He did, and I’m happy to see you didn’t get fired,” she teased him.

He gave her a pointed look. “Your mother threatened to.”

“I’m sure she did.” But as she’d told Glen, he worked for her, not her mother, and she never would have let that happen. “Your bonus will be forthcoming.”

He chuckled with humor. “Trust me, after listening to your mother’s tirades the past three days, I deserve it. I apologize for what you’re about to walk into.”