Page 67 of When He Protects

Hearing those savage words come out of his mouthhurt.The pain was much deeper than she’d expected. She considered pasting a big, fake smile on her face. Tossing out something about how nothing was ever personal for her, either.

But she was just too tired. Too done. She was so tired of pretending that nothing mattered. Especially when too much did matter to her.

I need to get away and get myself together.

“I know we haven’t exchanged names,” Esme said with very careful politeness as she focused on the neighbor. “Though it is obvious you know exactly who I am.”

“Esme Laurent.”

Her head inclined toward him. “In the flesh.” Her hands twisted in front of her. “Do you mind if I use your restroom for a moment?”

“Down the hall to the right.”

“Thanks so much.” She backed away. Turned on her heel. Absolutely refused to hurry. Her steps were slow and certain. And as soon as she entered the bathroom, she shut the door with the softest of clicks.

Esme looked into the mirror.

Just as a teardrop slid down her cheek. A real one this time. Not the dramatic tears that she could so effortlessly fake. Real tears.

That was why she’d wanted to slip away from the men. It was fine for the world to see her fake tears. Fake tears didn’t matter.

But real ones?

No one got to see those. No one but her.

That bastard Tyler had just broken her heart.

I said it wouldn’t matter. I told him it wouldn’t.She’d said they could have sex and nothing would change.

Just another lie. The bitter truth was that Tyler had mattered to her for a very long time. Only now it was apparent that she would never matter to him. As for the things he’d said the previous night—can’t trust them. They weren’t real.In the heat of the moment, men often said things they didn’t mean. She didn’t belong to Tyler.

He didn’t belong to her.

Nothing personal.

“I mean, you could have called.”

Tyler thrust back his shoulders as he faced off with Kane Harte. “Is that shit supposed to be funny?”

“No, it’s just the polite dictates of a well-meaning society. Haven’t you heard? Dropping by unannounced is a real pain in the ass for most people. So you call, first.”

Tyler grunted. He also edged close to the hallway so he could look for Esme.

“Got to say, that was a dick move.”

“Dropping by unannounced?” The dude was harping. “You’ll get over it. You had to make contact with Esme sooner or later.”

“I’m not talking about your unexpected visit. I’m talking about the way you just broke that woman’s heart.”

Tyler swung around in a flash. “Bullshit.” He hadn’t broken anything. He would never break Esme.Never.

Kane let out a low whistle. “Ten to one odds say she is crying in the bathroom. You were staring straight at her when you carved out her heart. I mean, are you seriously this clueless with women? You can’t be. Orcanyou be?”

Tyler didn’t waste more words with Kane. Instead, he stalked to the bathroom. Pounded on the door.

“Occupied!” Esme called out.

He damn well knew it was occupied. “Open up.”

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