Page 38 of Always Right

I cleared my throat, pouring myself another glass of wine because I sure as hell needed it. “Mine wasn’t as bad, of course...but all I remember from my childhood is business, business, business. I don’t think I’ve ever had dinner with a friend without it being linked to a contract that I needed signed.”

He gave me a crooked smile. “That sounds like torture. You should go out. Tell your husband to take you on a trip of some sort.”

I rolled my eyes. Nathan was adventurous, but not with me. Being married to me had sucked the life out of him. I was surprised I hadn’t done the same to Evie.

“Nathan and I are only married on paper.” I bit my lip, his gaze following the action. Derek was making me say things...admit things I never had the courage to do before. The air around us thickened, making it harder to breathe. For a few seconds neither of us said a word, though I desperately wanted to know what was on his mind. My heart hammered in my chest as he scoffed, shaking his head, like he couldn’t believe what was happening between us.

“What a fucking shame.” His green eyes darkened ever so slightly, but I couldn’t tear my own from his. He held me captive like no one else had. “If you were my wife...there’s not a thing I wouldn’t show you.”

Oh, God.

What are you doing, Hannah?

My mind traveled to the endless possibilities. To all the wrong things he could do to me that I would enjoy, to how right it would feel because everything about Derek Hensley felt...right.

And that was a terrifying thought.

Never had I felt so out of control, so vulnerable with anyone, much less a man I had known for a few weeks.

“I think dinner is over, right?”

My mind knew exactly what I should say, exactly what my mother would advise. But my heart...the thing I had ignored for much of my life, screamed I should go with him. Begged for me to forget my chaotic life and enjoy a quiet night with the man who sat across from me.

And for the first time, I would listen.

***

We arrived at a beautiful apartment complex. I smoothed down my dress as Derek offered me his hand and we stepped out of the cab, forcing myself to ignore the shivers that erupted throughout my body at his touch.

“Where are we?” I asked as we walked inside. A beautiful crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling and a smile formed on my lips. It wasn’t that it was expensive, it was that it was breathtakingly beautiful. The cherry wood detail that adorned every wall made the lobby seem like a welcoming place. Like home. Or perhaps it was the way Derek still hadn’t let go of my hand that made me feel that way.

“Just come with me,” he said.

We stepped into an elevator, and he pressed the top floor. It seemed eternal, with people coming in and out but with every glance we stole from each other, the time that passed didn’t seem to matter. Finally, we arrived at the top floor. I frowned when all I saw when we stepped out of the elevator were stairs.

“Sorry, love. We’re almost there.”

The term of endearment filled me with warmth.

The steps were well worth it. We reached the rooftop of the building, and the sight took my breath away. The whole city was visible—the city that never sleeps was indeed awake in the middle of the night, showing the world its beauty in a way that I had never appreciated.

“This is beautiful,” I whispered.

“Yes. Indeed.” I looked back at him only to find him staring at me with green eyes that held so many promises within them. “Are you happy, Hannah?”

“Right now?” Derek nodded. “Yes. I am. In fact, I don’t think I’ve felt this happy in a long time.”

He reached out, the back of his hand caressing my cheek. I should have pulled away, should have hit the brakes then and there but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to. “You should divorce him.”

Scoffing, I replied, “Really? Why?”

Derek smiled. “Well, reason number one, clearly, you’re both unhappy, if not you would be back home with him, not with me. And number two...that way I can kiss you.”

My eyes widened as Derek ran a thumb over my bottom lip.

“Don’t tell me you haven’t been thinking about it, too. Since the moment we met. Like you don’t feel it. I can read you like a book, Hannah. You don’t have to pretend with me. That’s why you’re still here, letting me touch you, letting me tell you this.”

He was right. I didn’t know how, didn’t know why, but I was an open book to him, and I didn’t want to fight it. And for once, I wanted to do something reckless.

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