Page 57 of My Billionaire Neighbor's Secret

“It’s better this way,” I muttered under my breath, trying to convince myself. I got a beer from the fridge and tried to calm myself and stop thinking about the woman next door.

I plopped on the sofa in front of the TV and distracted myself by channel surfing. But my mind wasn’t on what I was seeing in front of me. My mind was on Leigh looking like she had drunk too much. Was it because I’d been avoiding her and had not even bothered to respond to her message?

Sighing, I turned off the TV and looked out the window. I saw Drake getting into his car and leaving. That gave me relief.

But what about next time? And the next meeting after that?

A memory of him behind bars came back to me. That had been a long time ago, but he never confessed to sexually assaulting that girl who had filed the complaint. If I hadn’t paid the girl, he might have ended up in jail.

I went to take a shower, trying to brush off those negative memories. I didn’t want to think about that and I didn’t want to get involved. Leigh Andrews was an adult. She could take care of herself.

That was my brain talking. But my heart seemed to disagree.

I had a hard time sleeping that evening, despite being so exhausted from work and from having to socialize with a few business partners until late at night. Socializing always drained me. It was certainly one of my least favorite activities. I would rather hole up in my home office.

The next morning, I felt something brush against my face. My eyes popped open, my mind automatically assuming that Leigh was in my bedroom, standing on top of me with a brightgood morningsmile on her face. To my dismay, there was no one there. It was just a strand of my hair that had fallen forward and brushed upon my skin.

I sat up and stretched. I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and changed into some sweats. It was a very quiet Sunday. The silence was deafening.

When I was eating a bagel and a glass of milk, I suddenly became very much aware not just of the silence but of the loneliness.Is this what I called peace and serenity?

Maybe it was just because I had seen Leigh the previous night when I’d been avoiding her for two weeks already. When I saw her kissing Drake as I approached in my car, it tore something within me. I felt like my chest was getting ripped into two. And when I saw her staring at me from the corner of my eye, I remembered how she would fascinate me with her stories and antics and melt away my exhaustion as she massaged my back and shoulders and prepared a snack for me.

Now I was recalling the way she’d surprise me in the kitchen with an amazingly delicious breakfast and how it felt to have someone to talk to before heading off to work or even before settling in my home office.

It hit me then.I missed her. Very much.

The solitude was killing me, but I kept telling myself that it was better this way because I wouldn’t have to hurt her more. I was afraid that I would not be able to commit long-term, so it’s better to leave it like this now than deepen the relationship and make it more painful later on.

I did some stretching outside of my house before going for a jog. All the while, I was wondering if she was still sleeping, if she was okay.

I put on my earphones and jogged for more than an hour around the neighborhood. I noticed some familiar faces who seemed to gossip about me as I passed by. Until now, they had no idea what I did with my life and what my business was. I didn’t care.

When I came back, I was surprised to see Leigh coming out of her house. She was wearing a sheer top that barely covered her bikini top, paired with ripped denim shorts. She had on black sunglasses that covered her eyes. I couldn’t read the expression on her face when she saw me.

I slowed down in front of her house, gazing at her. She was so damn beautiful. Her long, slender legs made me remember how she’d wrapped them around my torso and entangled them with my own legs as we slept together at Bali Villas. I imagined running my fingers through that porcelain skin again, feeling the goosebumps rising, sensing the heat of her libido mounting.

Shut up, Carter,I said to myself silently.

She then looked at me. I was enraptured as I returned her gaze. Then I couldn’t hold back anymore. I just acted on impulse.

“Hi, Leigh,” I said, approaching her. “I just wanted to say congratulations on hitting your sales target. I know how much it meant to you.”

“Oh, so you did get my message?” she said sarcastically. “Well, thanks.”

I could feel the pain in her voice, and I hated myself for not having replied last night. Perhaps if I’d texted back, she wouldn’t have kissed Drake. Maybe she wouldn’t have drunk too much.

“Yes, I got it,” I said. “Sorry, I was in the middle of something then. I had to go out with some business partners and stay until they got tired of the bar.”

“Okay,” was all she said, but she didn’t look happy at all.

“I’m sorry,” I repeated. I wanted to tell her I’d make it up to her. I wanted to lean over and kiss her on the lips and melt away her pain.

I wanted to stay there and protect her and take care of her. But what if that was just my feelings for now? What if I suddenly feel invaded again and then I change my mind about wanting to try a relationship with her?

That would be much worse.

I heard a honking horn. I turned around to see Drake in the old car he’d brought the previous night. He was waving at Leigh.

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