Page 148 of The Pucking Wrong Man

An awkward silence descended over us.

“What would you like to do then?” Camden said stiffly.

“I’m going to get a job.”

Camden pulled into the parking garage and turned the truck off. “Anastasia, you were almost passed out when I found you last night. The last thing you need is to add more to your plate. What you need is rest.”

“Don’t tell me what I need, Camden.” My voice was bitter and mean, and I hated it.

This was it, this was when he would be done with me. Who wanted an insecure, stubborn street rat when they could have anyone else? It seemed we’d been uncovering each other’s triggers really well over the last few days.

Except, mine was in direct opposition to his. He wanted to take care of me...and I was terrified to let him do it.

The silence continued as he opened up my door and we went into the penthouse, and as we sat through an awkward dinner—because, of course, my perfect boyfriend had delicious baked ziti ready as soon as we got through the door.

I had taken my last bite and had just gotten up to put my plate in the sink when he pounced, pulling me into his lap, not caring as my plate clattered on the table, spilling flecks of tomato sauce all over. I squeaked in surprise, staring at the mess.

“Are you paying attention, baby girl?” he growled.

“It’s kind of hard not to when I’m sitting in your lap,” I drawled.

His eyes flashed, and I knew he was thinking about the last time I’d been a brat.

“I love you, Anastasia,” he said sweetly, gentling his voice. “It would be my privilege to help you, to take care of you, to be there by your side as you work toward your dreams.”

He didn’t understand. He could say that now, but it would change. Every fucking time I’d depended on someone in my life—it had fallen apart.

“And how do I help you, Camden? If I’m not allowed to cook, and I’m certainly not allowed to clean. What am I bringing to the table? What am I contributing to the relationship? If it’s about sex, I’m sure there’s a million women better at it than me. You can get another hole.”

I regretted the words as soon as they came out of my mouth. It physically hurt to think about him with another person.

“Don’t talk about yourself like that,” Camden spat hotly.

Feeling like I was about to burst into tears, I took his beautiful face in both of my hands. He looked so miserable right now.

“What if you do all that, and you decide I’m not worth it? What if you think I’m someone I’m not? What if you wake up one day, and you realize that I’m...nothing? I’m nobody." My lips were quivering, because I’d realized that I wouldn’t survive.

I wouldn’t survive him deciding he didn’t want me anymore.

He’d ruined me.

Just like he’d threatened.

I’d survived losing everything else in my life...but I couldn’t survive losing him.

“It will never happen,” he swore fiercely.

I kissed his lips softly and laid my head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

If only I could believe him...

CHAPTER 29

ANASTASIA

“They can’t be serious,” snarled Alena, staring at the new announcement on the Company’s bulletin board.

When Madame Leclerc had said prices were rising, she hadn’t been exaggerating.

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