Page 15 of Scarred Heart

“I think you’re lying.”

“And I think you’re unbelievably full of yourself,” she retorted.

“Oh, I know I am.”The line hit home, and her small giggle told me I was winning the battle.“You don’t even want to know how I ended up getting into tech?”

For the first time since we met up yesterday, her mouth switched to something dangerously close to a genuine smile.“Probably because it’s the opposite of what your father would want you to do?Just taking a shot in the dark.”

I’d wondered if she would remember.That slight touch of familiarity boosted my confidence.“Something close to that.But I won’t elaborate now.It’s the kind of story that should be shared over dinner.”

She ran a hand through her hair, then tucked it behind her ear.The strangest urge took hold of me while I watched.I wanted to be the one doing that—touching her soft hair and even softer skin.It had been a long time.With memories flying hard and fast, I was a starving man craving sustenance in the form of her body.

Her shoulders sank as she informed me, “I already have plans tonight.”

So much for the semi beginning to stir in my pants.“You said that last night.”

“It was true last night, too,” she snapped.“What, you think I’ve waited around all these years for you?I have a life.”

Undeterred, I suggested, “Tomorrow, then.Or Sunday, or any night.I would make time for you.”

“Well, maybe that’s because you’re scared I’ll ruin your—” Her eyes closed before a sigh slipped out from between her parted lips.“That was wrong.I shouldn’t have said that.”

“It’s fine.”It wasn’t, but I had a business to protect.People were counting on me.

In a softer voice, almost defeated, she asked, “Can I let you know?I’ll call you.”When I smirked, she groaned.“I will.I have to check on a few things first, that’s all.”

“You’re a busy woman,” I observed, feeling better now that I’d won this round.

“I am.”Clearing her throat, she sat up straighter in front of a wall covered in diplomas and certificates.She was proud of herself.She deserved it.“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have something else I need to do.Don’t you have an office to get to?”

That was the thing.What I was doing in her office was business.Just not the way she thought of it.“My office is wherever I want to be.I’ll be waiting to hear from you.”

I had planned on spending time in my office today, but there was nothing that couldn’t be moved.Not that I couldn’t take the jet back here at the last minute, but I didn’t feel like going through the hassle if she decided to cancel her plans for the night.

“Is that your idea of a good closing line?”she asked as I strolled from the room.

For the sake of making sure she didn’t change her mind, I kept my mouth shut, offering the receptionist a parting grin and taking the elevator down to the ground floor.

Walking down Wilshire Boulevard, I considered asking Lex to meet for drinks later.That was until Rowan’s text came through.It had barely been five minutes since I left.She wasn’t as standoffish as she wanted to pretend.

Rowan:Tomorrow night.Don’t make me regret this.

There was no hope of fighting off a grin that caught the eye of a passing goddess who smiled back invitingly.On another day, I might have taken her up on that silent invitation.Not when the pleasure of knowing I got under Rowan’s skin was so much more enjoyable.If anything, her hostility heightened the challenge.

This wasn’t about placating her, not anymore.

There was no ring on her finger.Fair game, as far as I was concerned.

By the time our night together was over, she would remember everything that made us so good together in the first place.

6

ROWAN

It’s dinner.Just dinner.Get a grip on yourself.

The mascara wand trembled as I touched it to my lashes, meaning I needed to take a breath and steady myself or end up looking like a fucking raccoon.

Hannah, thankfully, was unaware of how her mother was falling apart.“You look gorgeous, Mom.”My daughter gave me a sage nod, walking around me in a slow circle,then letting me lean in close to the mirror in my apartment’s generously sized bathroom.She even had the nerve to tap a finger against her chin while pursing her lips thoughtfully.“Ten out of ten, no notes.”

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