Page 21 of Modern Romance Collection December 2024 Books 1-4

Feeling defensive, she said, ‘You came to me.’

‘I’m aware of that. Put it down to a certain level of frustration.’

Charming.He’d only slept with her because she’d been convenient, in spite of all of their baggage.

Forgetting momentarily why she’d come, Sadie said, ‘So does that mean you haven’t had any lovers?’

He looked at her. ‘I told you I wasn’t with anyone.’

A little rogue devil inside Sadie somersaulted. Maybe if he hadn’t been with anyone then he didn’t despise her as much as he wanted her to believe. ‘I wasn’t sure if that meant lovers or a relationship.’

‘Like I said, I don’t have much time to focus on a personal life.’

Sadie realised they’d got way off track. She shook her head. ‘That’s not what I came to talk to you about. You misunderstood me.’

‘Whatdidyou come to talk about?’

She steeled herself. ‘I think now is as good a time as any to tell you why I left.’

For a long moment Quin said nothing. She half expected him to say it was too late.

But then he stood back to admit her into the office and said, ‘I guess it is.’

Nerves assailed Sadie as she walked into the large room, but she couldn’t back out now. She hadn’t taken in all that much detail in when she’d seen the room before, but now she noticed the hardwood floors softened by colourful rugs. Floor-to-ceiling shelves groaned with books. There was a huge desk and a plethora of computers and devices. Touchingly, in one corner there was a kiddie-sized table and chair—evidence of Quin having Sol close by while he was working. Making him feel included.

Quin walked around to the other side of his desk and folded his arms and looked at her. ‘Go on, Sadie, I’m all ears.’

He wasn’t making this easy. Needing some courage in the face of his lack of emotion, not to mention his rejection of what had happened the previous night, she asked, ‘Do you have anything to drink in here?’

Quin unlocked his arms. ‘That’s not a bad idea.’

As she watched, he went over to a cabinet in the corner of the room, and she saw him open a bottle and pour dark golden liquid into two small glasses. He came back and handed her one.

He lifted his glass and said, ‘Cheers,’ then downed his drink in one.

Sadie echoed his‘cheers’faintly, and did the same as him, wincing as the bitter liquid burned its way down her throat and into her belly. But it had an effect, sending out a warming glow that automatically made her feel less...edgy.

‘You never did like hard spirits much,’ he observed.

He remembered.

How much else did he remember? Would he ever just remember the good times?

Quin took the glass out of her hand and said, ‘Another?’

Sadie shook her head. ‘No, that’s enough.’

He put the glasses back and turned around again, folding his arms. ‘Well?’

It was unbelievably daunting, having to launch into explaining everything while Quin exuded such remoteness.

‘Can you...not look at me like that, please?’

‘Like what?’

Like we weren’t making love just twenty-four hours ago.

Sadie shook her head. ‘Nothing. It’s just...a lot to tell you. And I’m nervous. Can we sit down, or something?’

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