Page 28 of Off Limits
“Wanting something I can’t have.”
She huffed. “You can have this.” She gestured between them, eyes blazing. “You could have me. You just choose not to. I want to go out on dates withyou. I want to spend the night withyou.”
His jaw tightened. “You better not spend the night with him, Jane.” It came out harsher than he meant. But the thought of her in bed with that guy—any guy—lit his blood on fire.
She glared at him. “You can’t tell me what to do.”
He dragged a hand through his hair, breathing like he’d just sprinted a race. “Please...” He hated that word on his tongue. Begging made him feel like his father—manipulative, pathetic. But so did watching her walk away.
“I’m not going to spend the night with him.” She blew out a harsh breath. “But let’s be clear, I’m not going to wait around forever to move on. I’m sorry this hurts you. I don’t want to hurt you, Brady. It’s the last thing I want to do. But this situation has hurt me as well.”
“I don’t think you understand. Rex is my brother in all the senses but blood. I promised him I’d never go after you. Ipromisedhim. I don’t have much else to offer him but my word. And just like my old man, I’m selfish. You’re right. I do make everything about me. I wanted you so bad I took you. I broke that promise because my desire for you was greater in the moment than keeping my word to Rex.” He bent over with his hands on his knees. His head hung as he pulled deep breaths into his lungs.
“Brady.” His name came out soft.
He stood tall and looked at her.
Her eyes and mouth softened.
“I don’t deserve either of you.” He grabbed the door handle and pulled it open. “I’m sorry I trapped you in here. Enjoy your evening.” He walked out of the women’s restroom and pushed out the exit door at the end of the hall.
The cooler air swirled around him. He wanted to jump in his car and drive off somewhere far away and isolated. But there was nowhere he could go that would be far enough away to erase Jane from his mind or heart.
Chapter Fourteen
Jane
“Stop flitting about and get your booty out of here,” Kerri ordered. She tightened her messy knot atop her head, strands of her raven hair falling around her angelic face.
“I’m not flitting about.” Jane shuffled a few documents behind the counter, totally flitting about.
“Yes, you are.” Kerri grabbed the papers from her hands. “The studio will be fine for a few weeks. Giselle, Margo, and I will keep things afloat. We promise you. Go enjoy the beaches of Mexico.”
Jane huffed and planted her hands on her hips. “This isn’t a luxury vacation. It’s work. Learning new techniques, deepening my practice, meditation training. All things I’ll teach you upon my return.”
“Okay.” Kerri rolled her eyes. “Poor you, working on a beach in Mexico. Sounds horrible.”
