Page 70 of Billion Dollar Revenge

That I really want to forget…

His dark eyes stay on me as he dips his head. He gets up, turning away, and my heart lurches.

“Wait.”

He pauses midway to his bedroom door.

I scramble off the bed and stand in front of him. Grabbing his glass, I take a big sip of the bourbon, enjoying the warmth it brings.

I ask him a question that I’ve wanted to know but haven’t been brave enough to ask.

"Has it been eight years since…everything?" I ask, suddenly shy.

He scratches his cheek. "Is this what your nightmare was about?”

“No. I’m just curious…”

His eyes narrow, and he exhales. “Yes. Doesn't mean I haven't gotten off in eight years. But no, I haven’t been with a woman since her. You wouldn’t understand since you’ve been with someone.”

“Well…shit...this is pretty embarrassing," I mumble, taking another sip of his drink.

He's staring blankly at me, waiting for me to answer. He likes the truth, and he's about to get it. It's quite embarrassing for me, but if he's willing to tell me he hasn't been with a woman in years, I can tell him about my situation.

"The truth is, Bobby hasn’t gotten me off for a long time. He tried. Well, most of the time," I continue with a wince, "it was easier to pretend."

He takes the glass from my hands, tipping back the rest of the drink. I’ve probably disappointed him because he doesn’t appreciate liars. But I loved Bobby, even with all his flaws. In the end, I tried to avoid sex at all costs. I'm not proud of myself. I just did it on my own afterwards.

He moves to lower the glass on the table where a half bottle of bourbon sits.

I beg one last time. “I need you to help me forget about it.”

He twists back to me. “I can’t,” he says with a pinched expression and runs his hand over his face. He’s fighting himself.

“Why?” I ask softly.

As his eyes pin me in place, my breath catches in my lungs, and he steps toward me. “One touch would never be enough.”

My eyebrows pinch together. “What do you mean?”

“Once I touch you, I could never let you go.”

His eyes sweep slowly over my body, soaking me in. He likes what he sees. I work hard for it, so it's nice having my body be enjoyed by someone other than me. I know he's attracted to me just as much as I am attracted to him. The whole fake dating was just a drunk decision because the attraction was always there. Nothing between us has been fake.

“Then don’t,” I breathe out.

A dark rumble leaves his chest. “You don’t know what you're asking for.”

“Yes, I do. I want you.”

He squeezes his eyes shut before they meet mine and the deep pools staring back at me are conflicted.

“Shell,” he warns.

“Make me forget,” I’m close to begging now.

“Last chance,” he says through a tight jaw.

“Please.” My heart thuds powerfully in anticipation.

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