Page 45 of Escaped
“But still, it’s on me.”
I’d spent my life enjoying impunity and avoiding taking responsibility for my actions, but alongside my newfound vulnerability came a determined sense of honesty.For once, I needed to do the right thing.That was what being a better man meant.
“Okay.”She pulled in a breath.“And I do need to know what happened to Chelle.”
“I know.”
“Owen wants the car we brought off his drive too.”Her tone was hesitant.“He knows it’s stolen.”
“Right.”The idea of Owen knowing anything more was disconcerting, but I had to hand it to the guy.Without him, I’d have been in trouble.“We’ll have to dump it somewhere.I doubt Hawkins will be reporting it stolen any time soon.”
“No.”She bit her lip, apparently still remorseful for what she’d done, though without her, we’d both probably have been goners.
“I know you don’t know Owen well yet, sir, but he only wants to help me.”
“I don’t know him.”I’d never been one for family, so the idea of having her brother loitering in our relationship didn’t enthrall me, but for her, I’d endure.“But I trust your judgment, little girl.”
“Thank you.”Her expression, which had been so sullen after the talk of Chelle and Hawkins, softened a little.“I won’t say anything to him about you or your history.I hope you know that, sir.”
“If I didn’t know that, we’d have left by now.”I winked at her, enjoying the giggle the gesture provoked.
We both knew I’d been in no fit state to go anywhere, but I liked how she played along, regardless.
“He seems like a decent guy, but yeah, there are things about me that need to stay private.”
“I understand, sir.”Her free hand rose to motion a zipper at her mouth.“My lips are sealed.”
“Thank you.”My gaze fell to those lips, considering stealing a kiss until a new thought occurred.“So, if he’s such a good guy, why were you so worried about leaving me alone with him?”
Heat bloomed on her cheeks as though she’d been hoping I’d forgotten about her earlier behavior, but she should have known better.I didn’t forget anything.
“I don’t know.”Her gaze fell guiltily.“And that’s the truth, sir.I just felt as if I needed to be in here with the two of you.”
“To moderate?”I chuckled.
She blew out a breath.
“Were you worried that I’d tell him his sister is a kinky deviant who enjoys it when I spank her?”My tone was wry.
“Shhh.”She glanced anxiously around me to check the coast was still clear.“He doesn’t need to know about that.”
“Oh, I agree.”I had no intention of sharing the details of our sex life with anyone, let alone her brother.“But what bothers me is the way you didn’t feel you could trust me.”Raising my hand, I hooked a finger under her chin and insisted she look at me.“Youcantrust me, Erin.”
I’d trusted her with so much of my history.She knew things about me that no one outside of the profession had ever known.The fact that she didn’t seem to share the sentiment sliced at me more than I wanted to admit.
“I know.”Her hand lowered and she wrapped an arm around my middle.“I do.I just felt out of control.I got flustered and I panicked.I’m sorry.”
“I thought you liked not being in control?”My tone was intentionally sardonic.
“Only with you,” she whispered, almost coyly.“And that’s all new to me, sir.”
“And the lie about the florist?”My finger relaxed at her jaw, stroking the side of her soft skin.She was so beautiful, yet every time I offered her the praise, she seemed uncomfortable, as though no one before me had ever told her.“Why was that necessary?”
“It wasn’t.”Her eyes fluttered closed.“I should have just trusted you with Owen and dealt with the florist myself.”
The fact that she’d owned her mistake gave her more integrity than most of the men I’d ever worked with.
“It’s okay.”Hell, who was I to even judge her?One harmless untruth was nothing compared to the things I’d done.“I just want you to know I’m here for the truth, little girl.Even if it’s uncomfortable.”
