Page 105 of Tame Me

I raced around the counter, my heels clicking on the tiles as I chased after him. “Hunter, please don’t go. I want to tell you everything.”

“No! You don’t get that privilege.”

As he strode out the doors, I clutched at his wrist, but he snapped his arm away and turned to me. His eyes were loaded with hurt. “I thought we had something special.”

“We did. We do.” Great wracking sobs burst from my lips. Tears streaked down my cheeks. “I’m sorry.”

“No, Just Memphis,” he spat my name. “It’s me who’s sorry. Sorry I ever met you!” A taxi pulled into the drop-off zone, and I couldn’t breathe as Hunter stomped down the stairs and tossed his bag and my diary into the trunk of the car.

I crumbled to the steps. The car door slammed, and the taxi drove away.

With my hands covering my face, I released a deep howl of pain as a chunk of my heart broke away and dissolved to dust.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Since Hunter had left me sobbing on the steps of my hotel, I’d had six days of hell. Not even an evening shopping with Lolita had cheered me up. When I’d told her about him taking my diary and explained the extent of the intimate details I’d put in there, she’d burst out laughing.

I, however, failed to see the funny side, and she’d apologized about a dozen times since.

I’d tried ringing Hunter twice a day, every day since last Friday, but he didn’t take any of my calls.

Why would he?

What I’d done was despicable, and I didn’t deserve anything less. All the crazy messages I’d left probably had me sounding like a complete lunatic, too.

Even working the day shift had quickly lost its gloss. It was two days before Christmas, and I’d officially hit rock bottom. When I’d started my year-long challenge, I’d only considered me and my stupid libido.

I’d never thought about what my actions would do to the men I’d lured into my trap.

After fifty-two weeks and many wonderful men, only one man was left standing . . . Henry.

As I stewed over this result, I recalled my discussion with Aunty Ann, where she’d lost the love of her life because she’d never voiced her feelings for him. If I’d told Hunter my feelings, would that have changed what happened?

It squeezed my heart to acknowledge that I’ll never know.

The phone rang, snapping me from my tumbling thoughts. I forced happy into my voice and picked up the handset. “Welcome to the Hot Horizon Hotel. This’s Jane, how can I help you?”

“Jane, it’s Henry.”

“Henry!” His timing offered my heartbreak a glimmer of reprieve.

“How come you’re answering the phone? You normally finish at six-thirty.”

“I got a promotion—I’m now the day manager.”

“Congratulations, that’s wonderful news. Does that mean you have tonight off?”

I smiled. “Yes, it does.”

“Well, if you’re not busy, would you like to spend the evening with me?”

“I’d be delighted.”

He chuckled, and it was so lovely that, for a brief moment, I forgot all about my shattered heart. “In that case, I’m flying in at three. You could come to my room at sunset if you like?”

“Sounds perfect.”

“Do you know which room I’ll be in?”

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