Page 47 of Forbidden Games

“No. Your actions speak just as clearly as your words and I’m not stupid. I understand.” She drew herself up. “Consider our contract terminated. Keep the fee for all I care, as long as I never see you again.”

Gideon watched her walk out of his apartment—and out of his life. He shut the door softly behind her and walked to his kitchen and stared blankly out the window.It’s done.Something that took so much effort to coax into being, decimated in the course of a single day.

He braced his hands on the edge of the counter, an anchor to keep from chasing her down and trying to explain. There was no explaining this in a way that accomplished the severing of their relationship and left her pissed off enough to leave him behind for good. As much as he’d hated hearing it, Roman was right. Gideon hadn’t been thinking straight from the second Lucy contacted him. If he had been, he would have set her up with someone else for her matchmaking needs. He wasn’t qualified for either of the things she needed from him, and he sure as fuck wasn’t an unbiased party.

Letting his own selfish needs overshadow hers, and then convincing her to see things his way...

Yeah, there was no explaining that away. Cutting Lucy loose was the best thing he could have done for her.

He let his head drop between his shoulders. The best thing for Lucy, but he’d be riding this wave of pain for the foreseeable future. Getting out of town might help, but the memories of what they’d done here and elsewhere would still be waiting to ambush him when he returned.

No, better to stay and push through the worst of it.

A band around his chest formed, blisteringly hot and so tight he exhaled in a rush. He’d just ended things with Lucy.

Ended for good.

Gideon slumped against the counter. He’d known that woman for six damn years. Had been respectful of her relationship with Jeff and never said so much as a word out of line. Had backed the fuck off and left her alone after things had imploded so she wouldn’t have to look at his face and see a constant reminder of the lies she’d fielded.

Through it all, a small part of him had been sure that it would work out. One way or another, he’d find a path to Lucy. That he’d win her if he was just patient enough.

He huffed out a pained laugh. He should have known better. He’d been so busy putting her on a pedestal, he hadn’t stopped to ask whatshewanted. Worse. He’d ignored what she’d wanted in favor of his own desires being met.

She hadn’t picked him.

If he hadn’t forced the issue, if he’d just stayed in the place she’d designated for him, he could have maintained their friendship. Would it be painful watching her marry another man? Fuck yes. It would have ripped his still-beating heart out of his chest to smile and congratulate her on picking a man who’d do as a husband.

But less painful than standing there, realizing he was never going to see her again.

Lucy wandered the streets for hours. She’d intended to go home, but the thought of four walls closing her in was too much to bear. It wasn’t any better on the street—the city itself boxed her into place, preventing her from running until she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, was too tired to process the level of Gideon’s betrayal.

He blamed himself for not telling her about Jeff’s cheating sooner. She knew that. She’d even used that to ensure he wouldn’t say no to helping her.

She’d also foolishly assumed that, when push came to shove, he’d get over it.

Lucy looked up and breathed a sigh that wasn’t quite relief. She dug out her phone and called. Her sister answered on the first ring. “What’s up?”

“I don’t suppose you’re home?”

All joking disappeared from Becka’s voice. “Yes. What’s wrong? What happened?”

Burning started in her throat, making it hard to swallow. “Buzz me up?”

“Yeah, right away.”

She hung up before her sister’s concern had her breaking down in the street. The walk up the rickety stairs to the tiny apartment Becka insisted she loved was a lesson in torture. As if her body knew she was almost safe and had decided now was the perfect time to break down completely.

Becka opened the door as she lifted her hand to knock. Her sister wore a pair of brightly printed workout pants and a sports bra with more straps than was strictly necessary. Lucy stopped short. “You have class.”

“I already got someone to cover for me, so don’t even think of turning around.” She stepped back. “Now, get in here and tell me everything while I make some tea I threw together this weekend.”

That almost brought a smile to Lucy’s face. “Is it better than the last batch?”

“The last batch was the exception to the rule, though thank you very much for reminding me of it.” She made a face. “I couldn’t get the taste of licorice out of my mouth for days, no matter how many times I brushed my teeth and drowned myself in mouthwash.”

“Live and learn.” Her voice caught, because living and learning was exactly what Lucyhadn’tdone. She’d been so sure she knew her path, and yet the first chance she had to take a detour that would ruin everything, she’d jumped in headfirst.

“Sit. Immediately.” Becka took her coat and purse and tossed them onto the threadbare couch. Then she guided Lucy into a chair at the small dining room table and headed for the stove. The loft apartment meant Lucy only had to rotate a little to keep her sister in view.

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