Page 111 of Beautiful Betrayal

“Working for Ri and fucking him are two different things.”

“No,” I say. “If she’s working for him, she’s fucking him.”

“Like you were fucking that woman in your office?” he challenges.

“It’s not the same thing.”

He arches a brow. “Why isn’t it?”

“I didn’t choose to have that woman pressed up against me. Mia chose that job.”

“She probably thinks you chose it for her by fucking that other woman.” He doesn’t give me time to reply. “On a positive note, you know she’s not after your money. She walked away from you and it.”

“How is that positive? She walked away.”

“From you and the money. And if she comes back, it’s for you. Just you.” He doesn’t give me time to reply yet again. “Did you know that I broke up with your mother once?”

“You did? When?”

“Before we got married. She thought I was being an arrogant ass and that I picked a stunning secretary for her ass, not her skills.”

“Did you?” I ask.

“Hell no. I almost didn’t hire her because of her ass. I didn’t want your mother to think I was chasing said ass, and still, she did. I was angry at her for thinking so little of me and I didn’t go after her at first. That all but did me in. Took me six months to win her back. You know what I did?”

“What?”

“We eloped. I put a ring on her finger the minute I had the chance.”

“But I’ve seen the wedding photos,” I say. “It was a huge wedding.”

“Six months after we eloped. I made damn sure your mother knew there wasn’t another ass on the planet that could get my attention.” He lifts his glass. “And the rest is history. Kept her forthe rest of her life, and I hired ugly secretaries from that point on.”

I laugh, but it’s not genuine. I’m not going to get Mia back. I’m not going after her to try. She has Ri now and I hate the fucking pain of losing her.

Chapter seventy-five

Mia

The present

We’re still sitting there in front of the fire in our special chair, with my hand on his cheek, but Grayson is far away in his mind. “Where are you right now?”

He catches my hand in his. “Very much with you, Mia. What do you want to say to me?”

“I guess I could start with all the thoughts I’ve had since you brought it up.”

“I’m listening,” he says thoughtfully.

“I’m confused,” I admit. “Part of me is thrilled that you’re that eager to make me your wife.”

“And the other part of you?”

“Afraid it’s because it’s you that doesn’t trust me anymore.” He opens his mouth to speak and I don’t give him the chance. “This is my home. This isourhome.”

“Yes. It is.”

“I should never have left.”

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