Page 155 of Simon Says

“Why?”

“Because if there were letters, Barnaby would have destroyed them by now. Itoldhim to destroy them.” Her gaze came back to him. Her mouth twisted. “I decided you were more important than anything from the past.”

Simon studied her, but he just didn’t know. “Isn’t it ironic that you’d tell me about these grand sacrifices after I’ve already seen Barnaby and learned the truth?”

“Think what you want, Sublime, but get off me. Now.”

Simon rolled away from her. In a flash, Dakota was off the bed. She disappeared into the bathroom, no doubt to clean up from their lovemaking, and returned a few seconds later.

Simon watched her jerk on the oversized SBC shirt. It hung to the middle of her thighs. Not bothering with underwear or pants, she wrapped her arms around herself and turned her back on him.

After adjusting and refastening his jeans, Simon stood and went to his coat. He retrieved the letters. “Here.”

Over her shoulder, Dakota looked at him. She saw the folded envelopes, but said only, “What is it?”

He shrugged. “Barnaby says they’re the letters from your mother.”

And right before his eyes, Dakota crumbled. Going pale, she unfolded her arms and stumbled toward him. She reached out a shaking hand, and in a breathless whisper, she asked, “You got my letters for me?”

Definitely not an act. She looked ready to fall apart. Afraid and hopeful and amazed. “I hope they’re what you want them to be.”

Once they were in her hand, Dakota didn’t read them. Crushing them to her heart, she closed her eyes and a single tear went down her cheek.

Simon stood there, ripped apart, undecided. He had no idea what to say or do—but he was glad he’d gotten the letters for her.

Finally, Dakota sniffed. After swiping the back of her hand over her cheek, she looked at him with a trembling smile. “Thank you, Simon. Thank you so much.”

Shit. He shrugged on his coat. “I need to go.”

“But…” She looked down at the letters, clutched them tight in her hand, and followed him to the door. “I…”

Simon shook his head. “You should have told me about Barnaby.”

“I know.”

“One lie always leads to another. Now I don’t know what to believe.”

The soft gratitude faded from her features. “You can believe me.”

“Can I?” He nodded at her fist, clutched around the letters. “It looks to me like those were pretty important to you.”

“Yes.”

“So why shouldn’t I believe you’d do anything, say anything, to get them?”

She looked at the letters, too, then walked over to lay them on the dresser. She hesitated, smoothing them out carefully, and in a rush she came back to him. “I’m not an expert on relationships, but I know that walking out mad isn’t the answer.”

“It is if I’m too pissed to stay.”

“But you weren’t too pissed to have sex?”

Good question, not that he knew how to explain it. And that only infuriated him more. “Temporary insanity.” He chucked her chin. “You have that effect on me, I guess.” And with that, he opened the door and stepped out into the hall.

Dakota followed hot on his heels. “So that’s it?” she yelled. “You actually think it’s over?”

In the long hallway, her voice carried. Annoyed, Simon turned—and the sight of her standing there with her hands on her hips, her hair wild, and her legs bare reminded him that she wore only a T-shirt and nothing more. She didn’t even have on panties. Sure, she was covered, but just barely.

Simon stormed back to her. “Are you out of your mind? You’re damn near naked.”

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