Dark Ties (Made Men 9)

“Come sit back down,” he encouraged.

Narrowing her eyes on him when he patted the couch cushion next to him, she remained where she was, standing on the other side of the coffee table. “I’m good where I am.”

“Don’t you trust me, or is it you whom you’re afraid of?”

Haley burst out laughing then wished she hadn’t at the way he was looking at her.

“You’re serious?” Her laughter died in her throat.

“What makes you think I’m not?”

“I don’t know, Desmond. Maybe because you look like you’re more ready to strangle me than to kiss me again.”

“I was beginning to wonder if you were going to pretend the kiss never happened.”

“It happened. What I’m confused about is: why? You don’t do anything unless it’s carefully thought out.”

“I didn’t plan the kiss. I felt like kissing you, and I did. You enjoyed it.”

“Did I?” she hedged. Haley felt uncomfortable delving into the kiss they had shared.

“Haley, we are both mature adults. I’m long past the age where it’s embarrassing to talk about kissing, or sex, for that matter.”

“We’re definitely not going to talk about sex. You may not find it embarrassing to discuss, but I do, especially when I’ve never considered you in connection with either of those two topics.”

Desmond gave her a look of injured pride. “Not even after our kiss?”

“No.” Haley told her first lie without a qualm.

“I did.”

“Then don’t,” she said simply.

This time, it was Desmond who broke out in laughter. “That’s not so simple.”

“Then keep it to yourself.” Crossing her arms over her chest, Haley gave him a no-nonsense stare.

“All right.”

She regarded him suspiciously, not really believing his easy acceptance.

“Like I said, we’re both adults.” Desmond stood. “If you’re not into me, you’re not into me.” He shrugged.

“It’s nothing personal.”

“You don’t have to explain, Haley. I’ll see you tomorrow night at the usual time. Good evening.”

“Wait.” Haley trailed after him to the door. “There’s no need for you to come tomorrow.”

“We can’t drop the pretense until we return from Gillis Island. I don’t want to fumble the ball right before we know if the natives from Sherguevil are there. From the way Rhone talked to you, he would like nothing better than to find out we aren’t a couple.”

“Fine, then, but I think you coming over every night until then is unnecessary. We don’t want Rhone or anyone else to think we’re too serious.”

“Why not?” Stopping by the front door, Desmond gave her a quizzical look.

Giving a frustrated puff of air, Haley had to come up with a quick answer, other than the truth. The less time they spent together, the better. A girl could only take so much temptation before she broke, and she had a sneaky suspicion that was what Desmond was counting on.

“When you usually install your girlfriends in this apartment, do you visit them every night? We should keep to your regular habits.”

Desmond gave her a feral grin. “You know about this apartment?”

“My mother told me. I was under the impression it was used for your business associates, not a … love nest.”

“I wouldn’t say it was a love nest, per se. I purchased the apartment for a variety of reasons. Some nights, I work late and don’t want the long drive to my home. Then there are business purposes, visiting friends, and whatever needs arise.”

“Like giving your current mistress a place to be at your beck and call?”

“That, too.”

The bastard wasn’t the least bit embarrassed at being called out for the numerous affairs that had taken place in the apartment. Why should he? It was none of her business what happened in the apartment when she wasn’t staying here.

“Since we want to give the impression that we are close enough that you want me to accompany you to Gillis Island, I think me visiting here each night until then is completely normal. We don’t want to deviate from the pattern and raise any suspicions, do we?”

She was forced to agree. “I suppose not.”

“Good. Then I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

Haley stared at the door long after he had left. Why did she feel as if she had walked into a trap with no way out?

Taking a step forward, she locked the door before getting ready for bed. Hearing the ping from her phone with text messages coming in from her mother, Haley read the first one that said her mother had disowned her yet again and left the others unread.

Why had she lost control and mouthed off to Gilbert? Haley knew why—Leighton. Her sister-in-law was too kind and sweet to let Gilbert destroy her without making an attempt to save her.

Getting ready for bed, Haley sat on the side of the mattress and tried not to think about the numerous times Desmond had lain on the bed to have sex with his numerous women.

The deep purple and gold curtains and comforter underscored the massive black leather tufted platform bed. With the matching octagonal nightstands and the contemporary gold lighting that hung from the ceiling, it should have given her the heads-up that Desmond had used the apartment for something other than business purposes.