Page 144 of For the Sub

And because he ached to take her in his arms, he shoved his hands in his pockets. “Enlighten me.”

Her knuckles now turning white, she sighed. “We had a great weekend, and I appreciate your hospitality. But we can’t fool ourselves into pretending that it’s anything more.” She slid into the backseat. “You invited me to your aunt’s fundraiser. I had a good time. End of the fairy tale.”

“Friends would let each other know they’re okay.”

Though she looked at him, eyes wide, she remained resolved. “I’ve told you before, I don’t see you as a friend.”

The battering ram was back, this time knocking him in the solar plexus. “What the fuck just happened here, Brandy?”

This time, she hesitated. “Nothing.”

“That’s a lie. I demand better than that. I deserve better than that. We deserve better than that.”

“Do we?” she asked softly, so softly that he strained to hear her.

The driver stepped aside to look at his phone then folded his arms behind his back, pretending to be disinterested in what was happening around him.

Brandy fastened her belt before continuing. “You want the truth?” She squeezed her eyes shut, as if this were painful for her.

But this was equally shitty for him.

“You may not like my answers.”

Well he sure as cold hell didn’t like not knowing.

“I told you about my relationship with Reyes. What you don’t know is I have to protect myself from my own brand of craziness. You once asked if I collected animals instead of humans. I do. I’d be an idiot to spend any more time with you, because I could easily fall for you. This morning…” She swallowed deeply and blinked. “While we were cleaning up together, it felt so…right.”

Like it did for him.

“I adore your aunt. I love the sex. The way I feel when I’m with you is amazing.”

The way they were together, kisses, scenes, fucking… “Then…” Confused, he dragged a hand into his hair.

“Look, Niles…”

Fuck it to damnation.

For the first time ever outside of a public setting, she’d addressed him as Niles. Not Master Niles. Not Sir.

“There is too much distance between us.”

He shook his head. “I can come see you.” There were ways to solve this.

“I’m not talking about physical miles.”

Confused, he scowled.

“You’d happily invite me down and treat me this way every weekend.”

“Like a princess,” he affirmed, nodding his agreement.

“But you’re not ready for anything more. A commitment and everything that goes along with it.”

Tears clung to her eyelashes.

“You can’t pretend it’s not true. Can you?” she challenged.

“Goddamn it.”

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