Page 8 of The Seascape Between Us

“I’m not going bankrupt. I’ve survived this long.”

“The only reason you made it this long was the cash infusion from my father, and look how that turned out for you. Now, you’re stuck with me.” He grinned and waggled his eyebrows.

My nostrils flared. “You’re an asshole.”

He chuckled humorlessly. “Did I hurt your feelings?”

“Is that what you need? If you grind me under your heel, will that finally make you happy? What did I ever do to you to make you hate methismuch?”

His eyes flashed, and that shit-eating grin finally fell away, leaving his expression stony. “I told you, it’s business.”

Business? Fuck him!My hands squeezed into fists at my sides, and I stormed over to him until my chest was nearly flush with his. His eyes widened, and a thin fissure of satisfaction lit inside me. “It’s business for you. This is my fuckinglife!”

I loomed over him, taller and broader, but he held his ground. He stood so close to me, I could smell the spicy scent of his expensive cologne, feel the heat from his body just inches from mine, and despite the anger shimmering through me, bright and furious, I wanted to pull him closer. I wanted to feel his body heat singe my skin. I wanted his mouth on mine, so I would know if he tasted as good as I remembered. I wanted to drop to my knees and swallow him down, feel his hands gripping my hair, his legs trembling as he came.

What the fuck was I doing?I quickly backed away, nearly stumbling over the foot of the bed. Grey watched my every move, brows drawn together in a faint frown as if he were studying me.

“I have to go.” I kept backing away towards the door until I felt the knob jab my butt. “If you need anything, call the desk.”

I practically ran from his room and hurried down the walkway toward the stairs to the lobby. I didn’t know what had just happened any more than I understood the game Grey was playing. The only thing I knew for certain was that I needed to stay away from him if I wanted to avoid doing something stupid I'd undoubtedly regret.

Chapter Four

Grey

For the rest of the afternoon, I sat at the small, flimsy round table next to the window with my laptop open, determined to focus on work and put the weird exchange between Daniel and me out of my head. So far, I hadn’t had much luck. Instead of reviewing the reports Finn sent for the property he’d inspected yesterday, I found myself peering out the window, watching slate-colored waves churn against the wet sand and the handful of people willing to brave the cool, damp weather on the boardwalk.

And, of course, replaying the argument I’d had with Daniel over and over again in my head.

Admittedly, I’d instigated the argument. When I’d decided to stay here overnight to get a feel for the place, it had been in good faith. I’d wanted to see if I’d been too rash, choosing to sell, or if there was maybe something here to be salvaged. And if I could poke a little at Daniel, all the better. As usual, I’d clearly taken it too far.

Though, the sight of him wounded and angry, likehewas the one who was lied to and cheated on, had only fueled the anger spreading through me fast and hot like wildfire.

If you grind me under your heel, will that finally make you happy? What did I ever do to you to make you hate methismuch?

On one hand, his words brought a strange twist of shame, and on the other, I don’t know how I didn’t take a swing at him right then.What did he everdo?He’d lied about hisfriend,who he’d been fucking around with the whole time we were together.

Did he not know I had found out about him and Ryan? Maybe not. I’d never told him, after all. I just left Saltwater Cove feeling like the world’s biggest fool, something inside me broken and lost forever.

Or maybe he’d just meant it had been seventeen years; we’d both barely been more than kids when we were together, and we needed to move on.Ineeded to move on.

I sighed and rubbed my eyes with the palms of my hands. What was Ireallydoing here? No matter how good or bad my stay was, I had no intention of keeping this hotel, so why put myself through this? I already knew the answer. I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Daniel, and those last moments before he had all but fled from my room weren’t exactly making it easy to stop.

I just couldn’t get the image of him standing so close, our bodies were practically touching, out my head. Instead, every time I closed my eyes, I could see the lines of his face drawn tight and angry while he glared down at me. Then his gaze had dipped to my mouth, his lips parted, and for just a second, I thought he’d kiss me. A warm shiver slithered through me at the thought, but I ignored it. After all, I didn’t want Daniel to kiss me. Not really. It was one thing to jerk off to the image of me fucking him bent over on the desk in his office, and something very differentto feeling his lips pressed to mine for real. My dick twitched in agreement.

I had to stop thinking about him like that, especially knowing we were essentially under the same roof. Forget seventeen years and water under the bridge. It was safer for me to hate him.

My stomach let out an angry growl. A welcome distraction from my dangerous thoughts. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast this morning. Though I didn’t hold out much hope that the dining room would be any better than the rooms, I should probably check it out while I was here.

After putting my laptop away, I changed into a dark blue suit. I didn’t bother with a tie. The hotel’s restaurant was fairly casual, and I was probably overdressed for it, anyway.

When I made my way to the dining room, there were only two tables with diners, both elderly couples. That didn’t bode especially well for the restaurant or my dinner.

“Grey?”

At the sound of my name, I looked up. Alistair, Finn’s boyfriend, was making his way over.

Shit. Just my luck. I hadn’t considered the possibility that he might be working when I’d decided to pack up and stay the night here. No doubt, he’d tell Finn I’d been here tonight, and Finn was already suspicious that Daniel and I shared a past. I should probably expect a call from him first thing tomorrow. Hell, maybe even tonight, depending on what time Alistair got off.

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