Page 90 of Forbidden Games

“What?”

No use pussyfooting around it. “It’s not your passion. The brainchild was all yours, but the delivery has been lackluster at best. You help those women, andthatis your passion, combined with the gym. But a successful nonprofit requires shmoozing and networking, and that’s a full-time job—a job it couldn’t be clearer you are not interested in. You haven’t done much with it up to this point.”

“That’s not fair. I—”

He held up a hand. “That wasn’t a criticism. You’re running two full-time businesses by yourself. It’s natural that things have fallen through the cracks as a result. My point—my investor’s point—is that if you delegate and hand off a few things, the whole operation could expand and run smoother as a result.”

Allie sat back, the golden tone of her skin going pale with worry. “Even if I was interested in signing away everything I’ve worked for, what guarantee would I have that this investor of yours wouldn’t turn around and do exactly the opposite of what they’re proposing now?”

“It’s something that could be stipulated in the contract.” He found himself holding his breath while she seemed to think it over.

But she shook her head. “No. I can’t risk it. Those women depend on me to keep them safe, and I don’t know a single damn thing about this investor of yours. I’ve seen how flimsy paperwork can be when it comes to protection—might often makes right, and your investor has all of it.”

She was technically right—even with the protections written into the contract, there were limits to what Allie could demand—but Roman knew this investor and he knew that the offer was legit. He wouldn’t have fielded it otherwise. “Trust me. I wouldn’t have brought this to you, especially after the last week, if I didn’t think it would honor what’s important to you.”

“You keep saying that—to trust you. You haven’t done a single thing to earn this level of trust.”

And fuck, that stung. He’d shared things with her last week that he didn’t talk about with anyone. Even though Allie was still guarded, he’d thought she’d shared shit with him, too. He wasn’t a sappy romantic, but thatmeantsomething.

Or at least, he’d thought it had.

Roman forced the tension from his shoulders. “I have only your best—”

“No.”

He waited for some kind of explanation, something he could work with, some sign that she wasn’t just shutting him out without explanation. None came. With a slow sinking in his stomach, he sat back. “And if I ask you on another date—if I want this to go somewhere—am I going to get the same answer?”

Allie fiddled with her fork and then set it aside. “I’m sorry, Roman, but I just don’t see how this could possibly work out. We’re too different.”

A nice pat explanation—and it was bullshit. “How are we supposed to give this a shot if you won’t talk to me? If younevertalk to me. You came to dinner tonight with your responses already planned out. It didn’t matter what I said, because you were always going to tell me no to investing in the gym, and no to us dating.”

She flinched. “I’m saying no to your investor because I don’t trust their intentions. And there is nous. I had a wonderful time with you on West Island, but that wasn’t reality. This?” She motioned between them. “This is reality. You in your expensive suit and me in my secondhand dress. I do whatever I can to help people, and you hurt themfor your job. We’re just too different.”

“That’s bullshit and you know it.” Frustration grabbed him by the throat. She was determined to see the worst in his choice of career, no matter what evidence he provided to the contrary. It didn’t matter if he laid out a list of all the happy business owners who had benefited from him doing his job—Allie would pick out the one from the bunch who was pissed and then use it as proof that he was a monster. “You’re being a chickenshit. News flash, Allie—I’m not your father. I’m as far from that bastard as a man can get, but if you can’t see that, then maybe you’re right—we don’t stand a chance.”

Roman wasn’t saying anything Allie hadn’t said to herself, but somehow hearing those words—that condemnation—come out of his mouth sucked all the air out of the room. “That’s not fair.”

“Neither is sacrificing a potential future with me because you’re scared.” He spoke low and fiercely, and part of her wanted to give in and just let him take the wheel. Roman was more than capable of taking care of both of them and guiding the relationship toward...

What am I thinking?

She knew what came from having to depend on a man. Even if Roman would never hurt her—and he wouldn’t—he was too overpowering and overwhelming. He would swallow her whole and all that would be left of her identity would be connected to him. Roman’s woman.

Not Allie, strong and mostly confident business owner who didn’t need to lean on anyone. That person would be gone, and she’d never be able to get her back.

If Allie didn’t have her gym, she didn’t have anything. She’d be starting over from scratch, selling her soul in the process. It was easy for Roman to tell her to trust him, to talk to him, whenshewas the one making all the sacrifices and he was making none.

“Is that what you really think?”

She hadn’t realized she’d spoken all those thoughts aloud, but she’d put it out there and she wasn’t about to take it back now. “Isn’t that the truth?” Roman had all the chips in this scenario—he had since they’d met.No, not since we met. That first night, we were on equal footing.There was no going back now, though. They were who they were, and neither of them could really change that.

He clenched his jaw hard enough that she feared for his teeth. “Talk. To. Me.”

“That’s exactly what I’ve been doing this whole time. Just because I’m not saying what you like doesn’t mean I’m wrong.” She slid out of the booth and stood. “This was a mistake.”

“Allie, if you walk out that door, that’s it. I’m not going to chase your ass down just so I can keep bashing my head against the same damn wall.” He said it with such finality, her throat burned and her eyes prickled.

Because this was it. They’d been hurtling toward this moment since the first time they’d realized each other’s identities. Part of her had thought they’d find a way around, but he was too uncompromising, too sure that he knew what was best for her.

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