“Have you really just accused me of being so shallow that I’d break things off with you if you don’t do what I want in the bedroom?”
My jaw drops. “Of course not.”
“You just said it.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Enlighten me, then.”
“I…”
Shit. For someone who touts having control, I’m exhibiting a complete lack of control by forcing my way in here with a ten-year-old story I don’t even know is true. This isn’t close to how I rehearsed this conversation in my head. Except that it kind of is. The closer I got to Braden’s building, the faster I walked and the angrier I became.
No. That’s not true. The more frightened I became. Frightened of losing the man I love.
“Talk, then, Skye. Apparently you have a lot to say to me.”
“This isn’t my fault,” I say. “You won’t tell me what happened between you and Addison. What choice did I have other than to try to find out myself?”
Braden stares at me for what seems like a long time but is really only a few seconds. I can’t read his expression, which frightens me even more.
Finally, “You have one very important choice, Skye.” He walks out from behind his desk, like a Grim Reaper coming for my soul. “Your choice is to trust me.”
Trust him? Trust that he didn’t dump Addie because she wouldn’t do what he wanted? Trust isn’t my issue. I let my guard down with Braden. I gave him my control. I did so because I do trust him.
“Have I ever,” he says, “in all our times together, made you feel unsafe in my presence?”
“Physically or emotionally?” I instantly regret the words.
“Either,” he says, his voice low.
“No.”
“Have I ever made you feel that I’d end our relationship if you refused anything I asked?”
“No, but—”
“Then what’s this about?”
“You. And Addie. How your relationship ended.”
“Still none of your business.”
“It is! It is because… What if you do the same thing to me?”
“I’m rapidly losing my patience here.”
I whip my hands to my hips. “What happened? What did you do to Addie?”
“We’ve been through this.”
He’s clearly had enough, but I can’t force myself to stop. This is important. We’re important. “She was never the same afterward. Were you…violent with her?”
He comes closer. Tension exudes from him. Tension…and sexual energy. “Where did you get this information?”
“I…I can’t tell you.”
“I see. Whoever this person is who gave you this information, does he or she have any firsthand knowledge of anything?”
“No.”
“Yet you’re ready to condemn me on hearsay. Be both judge and jury.”
He’s right.
I hang my head. “No. Not really. But it’s also scary, trusting someone new.”
He tilts my chin up. “Even if I told you everything that went on between Addison and me, you would never have the whole truth. There will always be parts of me that I keep completely private, just as there are parts of you that you keep completely private. You can never know the whole truth about anyone.”
“That’s not what I want.”
He laughs then. The big, sarcastic guffaw that rings out through the entire office. “Skye, that’s exactly what you want. You want control over every situation.”
I open my mouth to respond but then shut it quickly. How can I argue? He’s right. Completely.
“I shouldn’t have to tell you this, but yes, I ended the relationship with Addison. I had my reasons. If that’s not good enough for you, I guess we part ways now.”
“There’s more, Braden.”
“There is no more, Skye. This conversation is over.” He drops his hand.
I shiver. I’m not cold, but the authority in his voice… It makes me tremble. “She…was never the same. Not until her Instagram took off.”
“I said this discussion is over.”
I cower involuntarily.
“Do you fear me now?”
No, I don’t fear him. To the contrary, my nipples tighten against the scratchy lace of my bra. A tickle surges between my legs. I part my lips absently, licking them.
“I don’t fear you. But should I, Braden? Did Addie?”
“What went on between Addie and me is in the past. We were kids. Neither of us knew what we were doing. What we were getting into.”
“Then why—”
He sighs then, running his fingers through his hair. “Why, Skye? Why? Why did you have to keep digging until my past touches us and what we have? Why do you want to ruin it? I’ve told you before that I won’t talk about this. It has nothing to do with what you and I have.” Braden turns and stares out his huge window, as if he’s searching for answers himself. His eyes are heavy-lidded. He looks almost…sad.
I’ve never seen him sad. The urge to comfort him overwhelms me. I walk forward and cup one cheek.
“Braden,” I say, “what happened?”
He meets my gaze, his blue eyes brimming with… Is it regret?
“Did she get hurt?” I ask.
He doesn’t respond, and I know I’ve stumbled upon the beginning of the truth.