Page 46 of Must Have Been Love

This is one of the reasons he hates me the most. Dennis is a man who’s used to buying everything and everybody. And I can’t be bought.

Nor can my daughter.

During the custody battle they tried everything. To pay me to give up, to pay me to live in England.

And when I made it clear that wasn’t happening, they demanded to pay for a full-time nanny – who would almost certainly report back to them – so they could stay in control.

He hates that I don’t need them. It’s the one advantage I have.

“What’s that on your neck?” he questions, changing the subject again.

“What?” I frown.

“Is it a bruise?”

Jesus fucking christ. That hickey. Truth be told, I’d forgotten about it. If I was wearing a collared shirt, it probably would have been hidden.

“I was wearing a tight shirt to Ayda’s party. Probably that,” I say smoothly.

“Dennis, come sing “Happy Birthday”,” his wife calls out. It’s obvious from her tone that she’s deliberately excluding me.

Which is just fine. I know they love my kid as much as they hate me. They won’t do anything to her, and they can’t take her anywhere while I’m here.

“Go ahead,” I say, giving my daughter’s grandfather a humorless smile. “I’ll wait here. I have some phone calls to make.”

He shoots me the dirtiest look I’ve ever seen before he turns on his heel and stomps off.

It should give me some satisfaction, but I’m still annoyed about the hickey. There’s no way he should have seen it. I’m off my fucking game.

I reach up to touch it. It’s not tender, but it’s still a chink in my armor I didn’t need to have. My mind wanders, remembering the way Skyler gave as good as she got in my office. The way she scraped her teeth against my skin, her nails against my scalp.

The way she tasted on my tongue.

When I see her I’m going to give her hell for this fucking hickey.

And next time I’m wearing a damn turtleneck.

fifteen

SKYLER

I’m stupidly nervous waiting for Autumn and Francie to arrive. Maybe it’s because I don’t have many female friends here on the island. Or maybe it’s because I’m still on edge about Hudson coming over tomorrow.

Autumn called me earlier, wanting my email address so she could send over some design ideas for the bar. She wanted me to look them over because she says she’s already found some contractors who can start right away.

I explained that I couldn’t do anything without going to a bank to get a loan, but she told me that the Grand Liberty Hotel company had agreed to fund it as part of their island improvement plan.

Which means Hudson has agreed to pay for it. Along with pushing my licence forward – because she admitted that was him too. It’s messing with my mind.

I could take us having a fling when I thought he was an asshole. Yes, I grow feelings too fast, but he’s great at making them go away with one scowl and a cutting sentence. But now I know he also has a benevolent side, it’s making my chest feel tight.

Everybody on the island raves about how much he’s done for the people and businesses of Liberty. Even Jesse tells me that Hudson replaced his guitar when it got smashed last year.

But I can’t fall for a man who would never fall for me. And if I sleep with him, I know that’s what will happen. So I’m going to tell him that this isn’t going to work.

Yes, I feel bad about the fact that he made me come and I didn’t do the same for him. But that’s life. I’ll buy him a sex toy or something.

The thought of him opening a box to see a pulsing cock ring makes my lips twitch. I immediately feel better.

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