Page 42 of Scottish Seducer
I rested my forearms on either side of my plate and said, “So this chicken is because of Richard, too.”
The small “ha”out of her mouth wasn’t a laugh, but she added, “At least I show my pain. You brought up this Willow person as a wall last night when you shoved me out of your life.”
Finally. If we talked about this, maybe we could move on. I nodded and said, “You left on your own. I wanted you to stay.”
She put her silverware down like she’d just thrown the ancient gauntlet that started a war. “No, you didn’t. Let’s at least not lie to each other anymore.”
I gulped my water and waited for the server to leave after dropping off the bill. “I told you I needed space because things were moving so fast.”
Her face went red and she closed her eyes for a moment before saying, “You never said that. I suppose I get it. But here’s the thing…you said you needed proof that I’m not after your money.”
Maybe she had an answer that would help us get back to where we were before I torpedoed her with the truth. I told her so she could forgive me, but staying away from her actually hurt physically, in a way I’d never experienced before or wanted to feel ever again. “Yeah?”
She took a deep breath, like she needed to find the right words, and said, “And your solution was to show up in my apartment, unannounced, to give me diamonds, like that would fix everything.”
She was beautiful without any artifice. It was like she cut deep into me, far deeper than even my parents ever had. I massaged the back of my neck and said, “You’re the first woman it hasn’t worked on, to be honest.”
“And you bought me an apartment, gave me a job, and say you want to date. But now it feels forced. I’ve never thought I’d accept anyone’s handout.”
My temples were actually throbbing at this point. I was never this affected if a business deal failed, and the only thing I would think of to say was, “They’re not handouts.”
She sniffled and her shoulders dropped. “They are. And, if I wanted to accept a handout, I’d call someone I’m related to.”
Behind me, Richard’s irritated voice said, “I’d hoped the rumors that you broke things up were true.”
Stephanie clutched her napkin as she demanded, “Why are you here, Richard? I’m beginning to think you’ve been stalking us.”
He pretended I wasn’t even there, saying, “Yes. Ann has called off the wedding.”
“Time to go.” I said quickly. The last thing Stephanie needed was to have Richard back in her life.
She played with her necklace and asked, “Okay? And?”
He knelt down in front of her. “I hope you’ll take me back.”
I lost it. Violence wasn’t normally part of me, but I was ready to slam the guy’s head down on the table. First, I gave him a warning. “Get out. Now, Richard.”
She reached out and took my hand like she needed to calm me. Her trick work as I stilled and she said to Richard, “No. Wait. You want me back. That’s what you said?”
His eyes lowered. “Yes.”
As soon as I tensed up again, she squeezed my hand and said, “Charlie, I’m handling this.”
She glared at Richard. “Fuck. No. If you ever come near me again, so help me…I’ll call the hit man I was offered in jest, steal his gun, and shoot you myself.”
Richard stared at me and said, “So violent. I hope you heard that.”
“The lady told you to leave,” I repeated. Her hand on mine was strong and familiar. I’d do anything to keep her.
Her face was white and firm when she said, “Get out—now, Richard.”
Finally, he walked away. Once I was sure we were alone, I squeezed her hand and, for the first time today, had bubbles of hope like champagne sparkling in my veins. “Hit man?”
She glanced over my shoulder before she withdrew her hand, taking a deep breath. “He’s gone.”
She closed her eyes for a moment before saying, “Yes. At my sister Olivia’s wedding, her new husband offered to hire one for me, but I refused.”
I drummed my fingers on the table. “The Dawes family always made me pause. I don’t run circles like that.”
