Chapter 31
James
James leans forward, waiting for her to answer.
“Who’s Viper?” Her voice cracks as she repeats his question. Then she coughs, pointedly avoiding eye contact. “I thought you would want to discuss my purchases.”
That is the least of his concern now. “You can’t avoid this conversation.”
Kate shifts on the couch like she’s ready to bolt. “I only thought since the fighting ring scheme had been going so well—”
“Your shopping isn’t what I asked you about.” By evading his question, she only makes him want to know the answer more. His smile broadens, and he leans forward. “Who’s Viper?”
Kate shoots the full packages a longing glance, as if they might save her, but they sit by the wall, conspicuous and unhelpful.
“Quit squirming. I’m not upset or jealous, but I’d really like to know what type of man we’re dealing with and what he has to do with you,” James explains.
That’s mostly true. Everyone knows it’s impossible to be jealous of people with names like Viper, Glen, Braxton, or Frank—he’s getting distracted. “Kate?”
“Logically, it makes sense that you want to know. If our positions were reversed, I would likely feel the same,” she says, placating him.
“So you understand why I . . . need to know,” he says, coming narrowly close to saying want.
She shrugs, picking up the remote for the particle panes. A moment later, they illuminate the living room with a sparkling gray skyline scene. “This is nice. Would you like a glass of Vine?”
She starts to stand, but he catches her around the waist, surprising her by drawing her into his lap. “Not so fast, sweetheart—”
She sobs, and suddenly his skin prickles with his misstep.
“Oh no,” he says, adjusting her so he can see her face.
“I just thought he was an old boyfriend, upset because you broke it off with him at his work or something. I didn’t realize .
. .” That Viper meant so much to her? He can hardly bring himself to say the words aloud.
“Kate, we don’t have to talk about it if you aren’t ready. ”
Which isn’t ideal since he would really like to know what Viper is capable of, but it isn’t worth Kate’s tears. “Shh,” he says. He strokes her soft hair while she curls into him, nuzzling into his neck. Better than any deal he ever brokered, she feels fucking perfect in his arms.
“He wasn’t my boyfriend,” she finally says.
That’s right. How could he not have considered that? Everyone now had manupartners. His curiosity is nearing its breaking point. Still, for her, he keeps his mouth shut and waits.
“I’ve never had a boyfriend.” She groans, wiping her tears on his shirt. “This is mortifying. Even more so since I know how things were during your time.”
He adjusts her once more, partially because he senses she’s ready to talk, and partially because he’s enjoying holding her a little too much. “I promise, I’m not judging you for the manupartner thing anymore. I told you I understand, and I meant it.”
After an extended pause, she exhales. “It was stupid. I was young and still grieving for my parents. I had these ridiculous notions swirling around my head, and when Viper approached me in a bar, well, he promised me everything I wanted.”
What she is describing makes James want to knock the other man through a wall. But this isn’t about him, so he listens. As Kate’s tears fall, James holds her hand until she’s expelled the entire awful story.
Later that night, when he crawls into her bed for the first time, he can’t help but draw her into the protection of his embrace. She’s tearstained and exhausted. Pressed against his side, she falls asleep within minutes.
As the night drifts by, he watches her and turns the story she told him over and over in his mind.
What he can’t understand is how, with all their conduct courses and social rules, someone like Viper existed still.
The man’s lack of empathy was shocking. How could he be completely oblivious to the harm caused by his words?
That was one of the beautiful things about Kate.
She wore every emotion so openly. Viper had to have seen that Kate thought it was real and got off on it.
That told James exactly the type of man they were dealing with.
Not flippant and self-involved, like most contemporary people.
Viper was the type of selfish person who fed off the emotions of others.
He tried to exploit opportunities not for progress or the betterment of those around him, like James, but for pleasure or personal gain. Impulsive and unremorseful.
During James’s time, men like Viper were common, but somehow he’s come up with the idea that the future is different.
But if that were true, why couldn’t someone like Kate find the companionship she deserves?
Hell, the government has to assign FRIENDS groups.
The future is just as bad as he originally thought.
At least he has her, and her FRIENDS, who seem to be slowly evolving.
Even he seems to be evolving. Because of her.
James can’t stop his fingers from brushing her hair back from her face.
She stirs. “James?”
Leaning over, he kisses her forehead. “I’m here.”
If he were a truly good man, he would keep his distance until he’s sure he can deliver on all his promises. But while he’s not a sociopath like Viper, he’ll always ruthlessly pursue what he wants.
Her voice is soft and sleepy as she asks, “You’re not leaving?”
She blinks up at him, and as her heavy lids draw closed, he can’t help but want the woman melted into his side and the future he’s going to earn for them.
He isn’t sure she’s still awake when he says, “Never.”