Page 50 of Match Point

Taking the glass from her, he sat on the chair next to the pool.

She slipped off her sandals and dangled her feet in the water, her dress riding up to her thighs.

Following her lead, he moved from the chair, rolled up his pant legs, and settled his feet in the warm water. He gripped the edge of the pool with both hands. Questions threatened to roll off his tongue, but he kept them to himself. For now.

The blue light cast her face into shadows, lips pressed together. Had Miller done something untoward? He was a dick and had no respect for women, a dangerous combination.

“There’s a reason I came back to the States, and to Seattle in particular.” Sorcha kicked at the water, making ripples across the serene surface. “Kelly Templeton wasn’t my real father. He was my stepfather.”

Leo tilted his head and studied her profile, the terse lines around her mouth prominent. She lifted the wine and drank deep, her slender neck exposed. He fought the desire to lean in and brush the silky length with his tongue. He drank his own wine, needing to keep himself grounded.

“Other than my aunt, I don’t have any family, and she’s not even a blood relative. My mother was an orphan and died when I was four. I don’t remember her much. My dad, stepdad took care of me. He was my best friend.” She wiped back a tear and he slipped his arm around her shoulders, bringing her close.

“I understand.” He lived her pain; it was a burden he carried with him always.

“I know about your father, but what about your mother? Did she die too?” She nestled her head in the crook of his neck and exhaled. Her subtle perfume teased his nose.

“No, she lives out of the country. She left after he died.” Her response was the perfect lead in to his news, but she wasn’t done talking. This was her party and he was along for the ride.

“After my dad died, I found my birth certificate and an NDA.”

“NDA as in non-disclosure agreement? Why would he have one of those?”

“He didn’t. It was between my mother and my biological father.” Sorcha sat upright and took another swig of her drink. She stared into the distance, inhaling a noticeable breath. “Miller is my biological father.”

Leo nearly dropped his glass, and shot her an incredulous stare. “Miller? As in Buck Miller? The man you went out with?”

“I didn’t go out with him!” She elbowed his arm, grimacing. “Ew, I’m not a pervert. Although he certainly is.”

“It would explain the resemblance to Raina.” Leo frowned down into his glass, a small piece of cork floating in the dark liquid. Wow, Miller and Sorcha. Never in a million years would he have guessed that.

Sorcha nodded, biting her lip. “You noticed, did you?”

“Howler pointed it out.” She’d come to Seattle to meet her biological father. Miller. She’d known his identity from the start, which meant Leo’s initial suspicions of her where right. “I was curious why you decided to pick the agency. Did you arrange to sign with us to get close to Raina?”

“Yes and no.” She scratched at her forehead, rubbed her temple, and closed her eyes.

“Either you did or you didn’t.” She’d used him. No, not him. Howler. His brother, a man he’d give his life for and never regret the sacrifice. “Tell the truth, Sorcha.”

She whipped her head around and met him glare for glare. “Yes, I knew Howler was married to Raina and it was a deciding factor. No, it wasn’t my only reason. I wasn’t lying when I said Howler had started something refreshing, an agency that values women. I’ve been a commodity most of my life and I’ve had to claw my way to the top, watching my male counterparts making ten times as much as I do.”

“A lie is still a lie, no matter your motives. You should have been honest from the beginning,” he said, well aware of the hypocrisy of his accusation. He was lying to her right now and he’d be lying to her again.

“I am sorry, Leo. Very sorry that I lied about that. And I’m sorry I used Howler and Raina. But this was personal, and I had to find out the truth. And now that I have, I wish I’d never met with Miller. But I did.” Her voice broke, the distress raw and vulnerable.

His irritation deflated at her earnest apology. “Why are you telling me now?”

“This is where things will get complicated. He threatened to sue me if I talked to anyone.” She turned her head and swallowed. “I’ve talked to someone.”

Great. He stifled a groan. Just great. “Who did you speak with?”

“I called Grace Chen and told her everything.”

Raking a hand over his short hair, he huffed out a breath. “You told Grace Chen? Why would you do that?” Once the news hit, it would be a public relations nightmare and he wouldn’t be around to help her.

Chapter Forty

Sorcha hated the tears that fell unchecked. Miller wasn’t worth the heartache, yet she couldn’t help the overwhelming disappointment. She should have known better. Using the back of her hand, she brushed the moisture away.

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