Page 97 of Seductive Scoundrel

Dexter Senior nods. “Absolutely. Dean, I’m sorry. Your dad will always be your dad. I’d love to have a relationship with you, but as Dex can tell you, I’ll never be up for father of the year. But I’d at least like to be your friend.”

“Let’s just do the test,” I repeat. The biggest, smartest part of me knows it’s true, but an irrational, hopeful part of me is sure that it isn’t.

How can it be? Of course, my dad is my dad. How can my whole life change in a blink?

“I’m sorry,” Dexter Senior says. “I’m not proud of who I used to be. But I’d like to make things right.”

“Call me when you have the test details.”

I don’t want to spend another second with anyone. I need to escape and get back to my hotel. If I’m going to fall apart, it’s not going to be in front of these two men.

I don’t remember how I get back to my suite, but I’m suddenly opening the door on autopilot and heading straight for the minibar. I don’t give a fuck what time it is anymore. There are some situations in life where you just need to be numb.

Instead, while I’m still reeling from the first blow, I get another punch straight to the chin that knocks me so off-balance that my knees buckle.

Mia is sitting on the couch waiting for me.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Mia

The momenthe walks into the room, his face tells me everything. The man’s been through hell and back.

“What? How?” Dean sputters as our eyes meet.

He leans against the desk, drawing in a breath, and I want nothing more than to throw my arms around him. If I knew how he’d respond, I’d do just that. Instead, I wait for him to regain control. Above all, I don’t want to make things worse. I just want to be here for him.

Bianca thought he’d need me. That’s why she called this morning after Dexter Senior broke the news to them. Dexter Senior had an affair with Bianca’s mom, too, so her sister is also Dex’s sister.

Busy guy.

Fucked up situation.

Bianca and Dex were resigned to the news because they’d been through it already, and were expecting more half-siblings to pop up. Dean, however, never saw any of it coming. And it shows.

He takes another deep breath, and then perches on the side of the desk, staring at me as if I’m an alien – or worse – a stranger. “What are you doing here?” he demands, but his tone doesn’t match the pain on his face.

“Bianca called. Dex arranged for one of their private planes to bring me. They both thought you might need…me.” The last word is more of a whisper and makes me realize how desperately I hope it’s true because I don’t know how to live without him anymore.

I thought I could run away and that would make it better. But leaving NYC won’t erase the way I feel about this man.

It won’t erase how much I love him, no matter how many miles I put between us.

Home isn’t a place. Home is him.

Dean’s lips curve up, but there’s no joy on his face. “Need you,” he repeats with a nod.

“Yes, need me,” I reply, getting up and slowly crossing the room.

We stand toe-to-toe, and I silently wait while emotions flick across his face like a kaleidoscope, anxiety building in my gut with each passing second.

I’ll die if he sends me away.

“I do need you,” he rasps, his voice thick and heavy, breaking me.

I wrap my arms around his neck, holding tight as tears roll down my face. “I’m so sorry, Dean.”

His arms encompass me, pulling me closer. “Why did you come here?” he asks softly.

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