Page 90 of A Dark Duet

I flinch like she took a swing at me. Her implying I don’t know what she likes or would have liked, and it makes me feel like I never took the time to really get to know her. To really pay attention to the things she found beautiful or what was special to her.

“I’m sorry I left all the stuff you gave me behind. Under the circumstances, you can understand why it was best that I left quietly. It was what you wanted. I’m sure… what was her name?” She puts her index finger over her mouth, trying to remember my massage therapist’s name. “Janine. I’m sure Janine was thrilled when you let her move into the apartment. She got all this cool free stuff.” She shrugs her shoulders.

It’s like she is twisting a knife in an old wound of my own making. I’m such a coldhearted dick. She was in love with me, and I tossed her out because she saw what I didn’t see at the time. A woman trying to seduce her man and coming between us. In reality, I’m to blame for the failure of our relationship. I put our relationship on the line by hiring Janine in the first place, never once thinking how it would make her feel. It was wrong and totally fucked up. I know I’m an asshole when it comes to women but with Briana, it was different. It has always been different. Her living in the apartment I provided her and driving the car I bought her. She is the first woman that I have ever taken care of like that. Then I pulled the rug from under her and treated her like shit. I’m such an asshole and she has every right to want to spit in my face.

A cough is heard from my right as Brian shakes his head, listening and piecing together how everything went down.

“I’m sorry,” is all I say to her, swallowing my pride.

“Me, too. Looks like it worked out for you. You're undefeated and you’ve got everything you ever wanted. I truly wish you the best. I wish you… all the best.” She looks at her phone. She is trying to compose herself and look busy. “I’ve gotta go. Good luck, guys, and stay safe.”

She moves to leave, and I follow her outside to her car, practically chasing after her.

“Brie, wait,” I plead, stopping behind her. At the sound of my voice, she stiffens.

“What, Jaden,” she snaps.

“Turn around and look at me,” I demand.

She slowly turns around and my head lowers and I catch her lips with mine and she melts into my arms. I hold her against my chest while my tongue traces the inside of her mouth and twirls with her tongue. The kiss is frantic and needy, like we are starving and haven’t eaten in days. My hands slide under her cropped sweater to the skin between her breasts that is exposed. She moans and I break the kiss to give her some air.

We are both panting. I want to carry her to the office and show her how much I’ve missed her, but I can’t. I want her to know that she means more to me than just sex, she deserves to be treated like a queen and I want to be the one to treat her like one.

We don’t kiss other people on the mouth. It is a promise we made. Like a pact. When we were together, I never promised a forever or marriage to her. It is probably why she left when I practically threw her out and ended it. One thing I promised was that I would protect her, and I failed. In my selfishness, I didn’t keep my promise and broke my word. Something I regret. Pride wouldn’t allow me to go after her and I lost her.

My hands slide down to her plump ass and I look down at her.

“Come to dinner with me?” I ask.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why?”

She looks away. “I can’t, Jaden. We’re over. We’ve been over.”

“Nothing good happens when it’s easy. I know I treated you bad and I am so sorry, Brie. I really am.”

“It’s too late, Jaden. I can’t.”

“Is it because of him?”

She pulls away and unlocks the door of the car and I stand back, giving her space. “I gotta go,” she says, ignoring the question.

Fuck. I rub my hand behind my neck, not caring if I look desperate. “If I call you or text, will you answer me, please? I want to make sure you are okay. Will you give me that?”

“I’m not your concern anymore. I haven’t been for the last three years.”

I let her go reluctantly and watch her as she drives off.

“It is not what you think,” Giselle says as I whirl around to see her standing there by the entrance of the gym with Nate.

“Whatever it is, I’m going to find out,” I tell her.

“She is on her way to the center to give physical therapy to combat athletes. I’m so proud of her.”

“What is she doing with Ethan Carter?”

Giselle sighs. “I don’t know. That part she left out, no offense to you both, but guys with money and power usually have women sign NDAs. She can’t discuss anything even if she wants to, but whatever it is, it is temporary, and I know my best friend. It is just… convenient.”

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