“I don’t like to repeat myself.” Narrowing my eyes, I watched as she clasped her hands in front of her small body, twisting them together.
“Stuart...” Her voice trembled. “I’m sorry I lied to you about that.”
The frail little creature act nearly pushed me over the edge. I knew she was tougher than that. I’d seen it. Crossing the room, I grabbed both her arms and gave her a hard shake.
“What do you want from me?” My voice was loud.
Two tears splashed on her cheeks, but she wasn’t sobbing. She was fighting for control. That was more like it.
“Nothing.” She shook her head. “I don’t want anything from you.”
“Bullshit.” Releasing her, I pushed her back against the bed. “Try again.”
She crawled onto it, pulling her knees under her. “It’s true. I didn’t know Elane... but I came here for you.”
“Why? For my money? Are you some kind of stalker?”
“No!” She adjusted her position. “It wasn’t like that.”
Crossing my arms, I exhaled. It sounded like a growl.
“I’d never take advantage of you, Stuart. I’ve cared about you since that day in the gym when I first saw you!”
“That day in the gym you saw an easy mark. You’ve been playing me for a fool.”
Her cheeks flooded with color and tears were back in her eyes. “Oh my god! That is not true!”
“You made a joke of me in front of Patrick.” That thought had me seeing red. “Quite a coincidence you happened to know massage therapy.”
Putting both hands on her face, she shook her head. “I took classes back at the gym! Rook—my boss—he’s always pressuring us to add new services. I thought I’d like it, but it wasn’t really my thing!”
“It wasn’t your thing until me?”
“Yes!” Her hands slapped the bed. “I wanted to touch you! I’ve only ever wanted to touch you since the day you walked into my life. Don’t you remember?”
“Why were you on the pill?”
Her expression turned confused. “W-What?”
“If you were a virgin, why were you on the pill?” That angry question had waltzed into my brain on whiskey Number Fifteen.
“I-I use them to control my periods.” Her eyes blinked fast. “I’ve taken them since I was twelve. If I don’t, I bleed too much.” She shook her head, and her brow lined. “You thought I lied to you about being my first?”
Her voice cracked and more tears filled her eyes. They fucking burned my chest like a bucket of salt being poured on that stupid knife wound. My gut twisted between wanting to hold her and wanting to hit her. I couldn’t sit here and let her rip me apart anymore.
“I’ve heard enough.” I reached for the door.
“Stop!” She was across the room before I opened it. “I’ll tell you the truth. Just... wait.”
My lips tightened and I turned on her. Her head was just at my shoulder. “Now I get the truth? Which version?”
Her eyes still glistened with unshed tears, and my insides churned with anger and heartbreak. The anger was winning.
“Only Kenny knows about this.” She dropped her chin, but I caught it, snapping her head up.
“Look me in the eyes when you’re talking.” I wasn’t falling for another act.
She sniffed and blinked a few times. “It’s going to make me sound crazy, but it’s the truth.”