Page 21 of Taste of Addiction

“Yeah.”

“You mad at me?”

I shrug. “I’m hurt. But getting over it.”

“I should’ve listened to your side before casting judgment. I was wrong. Please accept my apology.”

“What are you thinking putting the two of us together here? Are you crazy?”

He sighs and sits up straighter in his leather chair. “I couldn’t spare to separate my security resources. So having you both at one safe location seemed to make the most sense.”

“Yeah, except that we hate each other.”

“Sophia doesn’t,” he says with a shake of his head. “She speaks very fondly of you, baby.”

My jaw drops and I just stare at his face for several seconds. “You know that’s all a facade, right? She can’t stand me, Graham. Whatever she says nice about me, she probably thinks the opposite.”

“I get it. Two alpha females in the same house. You both are bound to clash on some issues.”

“Or every issue,” I correct. “You really don’t get it.”

“I don’t want to argue about this. I want to see how you’re doing. And I have more apologizing to do.”

“Over what?”

“I completely lost track of time and forgot about the car accident anniversary. I really wish I could’ve been there for you. Hold you. Comfort you. I know that day must be hard on you.”

I turn my attention away from the screen. I sniffle and wipe at my nose. “I’m fine.”

Graham’s eyes narrow at me, but he spares me by not doing a bunch of follow-up questions. Instead, his eyes start to soften, and I can tell he is affected by my mood—and my silence. “I messed up. And I’m sorry for not acknowledging James’s anniversary. I know how profound the day is to you and”—his fingers tug at his hair—“I hate being away from you. I hate all of this shit. I’m frustrated that I can’t see an end in sight with this whole drug ring. The closer I think I’m getting to discovering the truth, the more curveballs get thrown. I feel helpless. Like I keep jacking things up with us and that’s the last thing I ever intend to do.”

My eyes dry at seeing Graham so upset. So many times he has been my rock that it feels different trying to be his support system for once. “I forgive you,” I whisper.

“Really?”

I nod. My body relaxes at his smile of relief. I could easily have made him grovel for the rest of the day, but where would that have gotten my mood? Plus, I’ve already punished him enough by ignoring him.

“Our bedroom floor misses your clothes.”

My pussy instantly heats at the implication of his words. I swallow. “I’m so lonely here.”

“I know, baby. We’ll be together soon. It might just have to be in secret though once you come back into town.”

I nod. If having the world think we are separated is a way to keep everything balanced, then so be it. “I just want to be together. I don’t care how.”

“We’re together, Angie. Nothing has changed in my feelings for you. I know the whole fake engagement to Sophia has not made things easier on your heart, but it is just that—fake. I’m sorry she is there with you, and sorry you two just cannot see eye to eye. And I’m sorry I never trusted you. I have failed you in so many ways. But just know that you have my heart. That’s not fake.”

“You know Sophia still very much thinks you two have some pull toward each other.”

“It is one-sided then.”

I sigh and push myself back into the pillows. “But don’t you think her feelings toward you are going to impact our relationship?”

“Only if you allow it to.”

“It is hard not to, Graham. She is in my face. Flaunting what the two of you had.”

“Past. It is all in the past.”

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