Page 94 of Undeniable Temptation

“She ran. I have to go after her.” He scrutinized her. So much dreary desolation in one handsome face. “I’ll make sure she doesn’t say anything.”

She nodded through the doubt. Julie would take pleasure in sharing what she’d walked in on. Without hesitation. “Go. I’ll stall the performance.”

He smashed his lips to hers, quick and hard, but still there was no relief. Only anger at herself for causing this mess. When he pulled away she waited, watching him leave before she dragged her feet from the room.

“I’m sorry, Leah.” The security guard was waiting in the hall, his brows drawn tight. “I didn’t want to physically restrain her, and I wasn’t even sure she was telling the truth about being Ryan’s wife. I’ve never seen her at a concert before.”

“Forget about it. You did the right thing.” She’d been the one in the wrong. At each and every turn since Ryan first kissed her in Richmond.

“I’m not going to say anything,” he added. “I mean…about what I walked in on.”

“Thanks.” She slunk away, hiding her wince from view. His silence wouldn’t matter. Julie’s enthusiasm would be enough to convince Leah’s boss of the breach in contract. Especially when Ryan’s wife had already set the ball rolling last week with the online interview.

The fooling around was over. It had to be.

She was too damn tired. Too drained.

The years of fighting her love for him, then battling to keep their shared feelings a secret had taken their toll. The collateral damage was piling up. She had to bow out. Now. While there was still one preemptive strike available to help salvage everything she’d worked for.

She palmed her phone from her pants pocket and scrolled through her directory. Bruce’s name resembled a white flag. She was giving up. Giving in. She pressed the screen, the resulting rings sinking into her chest like lead.

“What can I do for you, Leah?”

She stopped in front of the door leading to side-stage, the crowd chanting for Reckless on the other side as she closed her eyes. “I have a feeling more drama is about to unfold from Julie.”

He paused, the contemplation filled with disappointment. “Did you cause the drama?”

“No.” She squeezed her eyes shut at the depth of how low she’d sunk. “She snuck backstage and misconstrued something she walked in on. She’s pregnant and emotional. She doesn’t—”

“Leah…”

She hung her head.

“This has happened one too many times,” he murmured.

“It’s all a misunderstanding,” she lied. It kept happening because she was in love. The vicious cycle kept spinning because her professionalism was being smothered by uncontrollable emotions over someone she wasn’t supposed to have.

“Then, if you plan to keep your job, you know what you need to do.”

“Yes.” She nodded and turned the door handle. “I know.”

* * *

Ryan ran down the hall, closing in on Julie. “Wait.”

She stopped, pivoted, and slumped against the wall to stare back at him. Her eyes were glazed, her hand pressed tight against her baby bump as if it needed protection from him.

“You can’t mention a word of this.”

She scoffed. “I most certainly can.”

“But you’re not going to. We can’t get back together, Julie. It’s not going to happen. I want to be with her. But that doesn’t mean I’ll support you and the baby any less. I’ve already spoken to my lawyers. They’ve arranged a payment schedule to help cover medical expenses in the coming months, and once the baby is born and paternity is established, I’ll have bank accounts set up for you and our child.”

She stared at him, her eyes narrowing.

“That’s the best I can offer. I’m going to be a part of this baby’s life, and I’m also not going to give up on what I have with Leah.”

“What makes you think you can make it work with her? Once she loses her job, the two of you will have the same relationship we had. You’ll be separated most months of the year. You’ll grow distant. You’ll never make it work.”

---