Page 87 of Bound

I…fuck.

Because I snooped and knew what was going on and went right the fuck around my woman to her boss to make sure she had what she needed—the chance to say goodbye and me nearby to pick up the pieces.

“Well, you know the Gossip Train,” I prevaricate.

The flash of pain in her eyes—because the captain of the Gossip Train is,was, Smitty—ripples through me, stomping all over my insides.

Reminding her of shit I’m trying to take her mind off.

Looking at things I shouldn’t.

Doing shit I shouldn’t.

Christ.

“No,” she says softly. “He didn’t know we were together until that morning. He was too busy with the trade deal to pick up that things between us changed.” She fixes me in place with a piercing stare. “He told me today.”

Damn.

“Kitty cat.”

“No,” she whispers. “It’s you and me versus the world, remember?”

I remember.

It’s why I so grossly overstepped.

“I knew something was wrong,” I say. “And I know I shouldn’t have done it, am fully aware of the irony of me being pissed at you for overstepping when I did the same.”

I pause, searching for anything in her face that may reveal what she’s feeling.

I can’t read shit as she asks, “Howdid you know?”

I cave like a cheap suitcase. “I saw the papers on your desk and snooped.”

The barest flicker in her eyes. “When?”

Damn. This makes me sound like even bigger of an asshole.

“When?” she asks a little more firmly.

“When you were crying,” I admit. “I saw the papers, saw Aiden’s name, and I should have stopped reading. I just…didn’t. I have no excuse. I know it was a violation, but when I saw Smitty’s name on there, I knew what was tearing you apart.” I cup her cheek. “I couldn’t force you to talk. I wouldn’t do that to you. But…I needed you to be okay, and I know that part of you being okay was that…you needed to say goodbye and then you needed me there to lean on.”

“Months ago,” she whispers, “I would have revolted at the thought of needing anyone else.” Her mouth twitches up. “But Smitty wore me down, made me realize how big and wonderful the world is if I just let it in.”

Her eyes are glassy and I wipe away a tear clinging to her lashes. “It is.” I kiss her forehead. “And it’s kind of funny that he taught me that same lesson.”

She sniffs.

I draw her close, hold her for long minutes.

“I should be mad at you for violating my privacy, for going to Luc and making me look weak?—”

“He’d do the same for Lex?—”

“Maybe,” she says. A small smile. “Okay,certainly.” A beat. “I should be mad at you for interfering, but…” She sighs and her tone grows light, teasing. “I would have done the same thing—havedone—the same thing.”

“True,” I agree carefully.

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