Page 37 of Taming Scarlet

How was I going to face him again?

With my goddamn head up.

I’d been drinking.

He’d taken advantage of that.

I wouldn’t go so far as to call it any sort of assault. I could have walked away at any time. I didn’t. But… but surely if I was sober, I never would have gotten on my knees for him, right?

I mean… clearly.

Because in the sober light of day, my cheeks went on fire each time I thought about what was said, what was done.

Obviously, clear-headed me would never.

Because of the embarrassment, though, I could never actually bring it up to him, not without him knowing he got the upper hand—ugh—on me.

So my only choice was to pretend that nothing happened.

Then, after that, I had to do what I did best.

I had to run him off.

I had to get him out of my life.

Then, I dunno, take a vacation. Get him out of my mind.

Decision made, I pulled my hair back into a claw clip, did my skincare, then walked into my closet.

If I was going to be a bitch, I needed to dress for it.

A pair of black leather pants, a lightweight black sweater tucked in to expose a gold belt buckle, and chunky heels.

Small, thick gold hoops.

A red lip.

Mascara.

There, I decided as I turned in the mirror for myself. I looked cold and unapproachable.

I grabbed my purse, tossed my phone in, then made my way out into the hallway.

Julian’s door was closed, and I could hear the swish of fabric as he, I imagined, got dressed.

“Come on, baby,” I cooed at Hugh, squatting down to scoop him up as I rushed through the common area of the penthouse.

It looked like breakfast was set up for me already.

And there were remnants of food in Hugh’s bowl.

“Let’s go,” I said, kissing Hugh’s head, then rushed out of the penthouse before Julian could even think of catching up to me.

My heart was skittering in my chest as I power-walked through the lobby.

It wasn’t until I stepped out of the front doors that I paused.

Not because I was having second thoughts.

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