Page 99 of Tease Me

He stood, and as he walked toward the playground my stomach churned so dramatically,I thought I’d throw up. But when the little girl put her arms around her daddy and squeezed him tightly as she jumped off the slide, I knew I’d done the right thing. Telitha had already been through immense emotional turmoil when her mother had left—I couldn’t put her through that again.It was better to let Clayton go now before we grew tooserious.

Clayton nodded at me once he stepped back through the door, and I grabbed my bag and followed him down the stairs.Telithahadher arms and legswrappedaround him, and as she stared at me with a beautiful grin, she snuggled into his neck.

Life was so cruel sometimes. Hopefully, Clayton will forgive me.

The drive back to the hotel was as long as it was torturousasTelitha barraged me with a dozen questions and Clayton remained stony silent.I’d never been so happy to see the driveway to the hotel, and it took all my might not to jump out before he’d even stopped the car.

I turned to the back seat. “It was lovely to meet you, Telitha.”

“When can I see you again?”

“Oh, ummm . . .”

“Jane’s really busy, honey. She’s got to go now.” Clayton saved me.

“Okay, Daddy.”

I placed my hand on Clayton’s arm, ready to speak, and he opened his side door. Taking his lead, I stepped out of the car, too. We met at the back of thecar.

“Can I at least have a hug?” He opened his arms to me, and I stepped into his embrace.

“I’m sorry, Clayton.”

“It’s okay. I understand.” We pulled apart, and my hands fell into his. “It was fun while it lasted.”

I nodded. “Yes, it was.”

He leaned in, kissed my cheek, and then strodeback aroundto the driver’s side. Seconds later, the Audi moved away, leaving me all alone on the front steps of my hotel.

By the time I arrived at my room, Iwas shattered, both emotionally and physically.

I stripped off, put on my pajamas, and crawled into bed.

It was impossible to suppress my quivering chin, and as I clutched my spare pillow, the tears flowed.

Did I just let areallygood man go?

The answer was a resounding yes.

I hope I don’t regret that decision.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The sound of my bedside alarm startled me, and I rolled over to cut off the news broadcast.I couldn’t believe I’d fallen asleep, let alonefor five hours.I yawned and stretched my arms above my head, and my tummy rumbled like I’d swallowed a thunderstorm.

Rolling out of bed, Imade my wayto the bathroom to relieve myself and then turned on the shower.

As the warm cascade tumbled over me, my thoughts drifted to Clayton. I played out what happenedover and overin my head, and although I’d let an incredible man slip through my fingers, I also knew I’d made the right decision.

By the time I’d showered and dried off,my rumbling tummy couldn’t be ignoreda moment more. With my bathrobe around my shoulders, I wandered to my kitchen, tugged open the fridge, and sighed. If acompletestranger looked in here, they’d thinkthe apartment had been abandoned. Even my usual survival staples of peanut butter and eggs were absent.

My stomach roared in protest, and Imade a snap decisionto treat myself to a meal out. Tying my belt around my waist, I strode onto my balcony to check the weather. The sun was still high enough to cut through the gaps in the tall buildings and cast long bolts of golden light onto the sand. A cool breeze whispered up from the ocean and tickled my skin.

Leaning on the railing, I inhaled the crisp, clean air. It was like an elixir, washing away all the angst that had filled my morning. The evening weather was perfect for dinner in anicecafé overlooking the ocean, and I knew exactly the right place.

The idea of eating out appealed greatly, and I dressed in jeans and a caramel-knitted sweater. I pulled on ankle-high boots and grabbed my Michael Kors tote that matched them perfectly. With my bag swinging off my arm, I headed out my door with thoughts of a thick, juicy steak waiting for me at Steakside.

Marjorie was all by herself at the reception desk, and as much as my stomach complained about the slight deviation from the plan, I headed toward her. “Hey, Marj.”

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