Page 87 of Craving Danger

I smell his aftershave, and it makes a fresh wave of tears burst from me.

“You’re safe with me, baby.”

He sounds like my mystery man, but he looks like Mr. Vitale, who’s made my life a living hell at the office.

The fight leaves me when I realize the man I fell in love with doesn’t exist. It was all some kind of sick game.

I told him everything. He comforted me.

He told me he loved me.

“It was all a lie,” I cry as my heart breaks. “How could you do that to me?”

“None of it was a lie,” he argues, his tone urgent. “I meant every word I said to you.”

As I cry my eyes out, the pieces fall into place.

That’s why I don’t have a panic attack when Mr. Vitale touches me. It’s because somehow my body recognized him while my mind refused to see the signs.

“God, how could I be so stupid?”

It’s because I needed someone so badly.

“You’re not stupid,” he says before pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

If I keep my eyes closed, I can pretend Mr. Vitale isn’t here.

Unable to deceive my heart with false hope, I open my eyes and face the cold, hard truth.

“Let me go,” I say for what feels like the hundredth time.

“I will if you promise to give me a chance to explain.”

“I promise,” I mutter.

The moment he pulls his arms away from me, I shove at his rock-hard chest and put a safe distance between us.

My eyes burn on Mr. Vitale with rage, and I want to slap myself upside the head for being so blind.

He gestures to the lounge chair. “Have a seat.”

My tone is tight as I say, “I prefer to stand.”

My gaze lowers to his mouth, and the realization hits again. It feels like a ten-pound hammer knocks me right off my feet.

Oh. My. God. I kissed Mr. Vitale.

I told him I was falling in love with him.

I shared everything with him.

Chapter 28

Samantha

As the shock keeps rippling through me, I cover my mouth with my hand.

My eyes are glued to Mr. Vitale’s face, and it takes a moment before I can process his expression. His features are torn with worry.

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