I sat back in my chair and forced myself not to shoot to my feet when I saw her standing in the doorway.
Disheveled.
Gorgeous.
Hopeful.
The sight of her stopped my heart in my chest.
My teeth gnashed as a fist of greed tightened my stomach.
It felt like I got smashed in the face all over again.
There she was in that same black, slinky dress, one that I was sure would be emblazoned in my mind for the rest of my life. That white coat tucked tight around her. Not to mention she appeared five feet taller in those silver heels.
For a flash, every dark place in my mind went light.
There was something that had shifted since she’d gotten out of my car earlier. Something that had rearranged in those agate eyes. Determination and heat fired from the depths.
It plundered all logic.
Because I was slammed with a swell of relief.
Because she shouldn’t be here.
Because she needed to go.
Last night had been a mistake. I’d been playing with the type of fire that should have long since been put out. Seeing Gage’s sweet little face had only reiterated that.
I couldn’t drag my family into that type of sordid mess.
I couldn’t seek the revenge I thirsted for so desperately.
I couldn’t touch her.
No matter how fucking bad I wanted to.
Aster stared down at me with her chin lifted the slightest bit. That fierce bravery wobbling with the fear written underneath.
I set my elbow on the arm of my chair and rested my temple on my fingers like I was bored to death while the buzz of energy nearly lit me in flames.
“What are you doing here, Aster? Aren’t you supposed to be on a plane to LA right now?”
“You won me, didn’t you?”
I almost choked. Instead, I forced out an incredulous chuckle. “Honestly, I never took you as the type of woman who could be bought.”
Her face paled in a regret so stark I thought she might sink to her knees. One that made me want to hurtle over the desk to get to her.
She seemed to gather it, to reclaim that ferocity, and she strode forward and sat down on one of the chairs that faced my desk. “I have a proposition for you.”
“Really?” I asked, completely droll while my spirit screamed.
What the hell was she doing?
She blanched and shook and seemed to have to force out the word. “Yes.”
Old spite flooded out with my response. “And why would I ever do you a favor?”