The Reborn

Chapter Sixteen

Sixteen

Olivia

This bad ideareally likes kissing you?

Seriously? What had come over me? Memories of “bad ideas” from my past bombarded my brain as I forced myself to meet his aquatic gaze.

What shocked me was that I found no recrimination there or walls being erected. A touch of sadness maybe as he gently brushed a knuckle along my cheek. “I like kissing you, too, but that doesn’t change the fact that it might be best if we kept things professional.”

Why did I keep getting myself into these sticky situations with unavailable men?

The logical part of me knew he was absolutely right. The stupid part of me? That part was coming alive at his touch, feeling reborn after being stifled and frozen too long by my own shame and recrimination, and I couldn’t ignore how amazing that felt. Could I?

He’d said it wasn’t against any official rules... and I could feel his hard-on still straining against his jeans.

I swayed closer and a dangerous glint filled his gaze. “Olivia,” he gritted out in warning. “What are you doing?”

I opened my mouth to say something sexy about it feeling good to be bad, but his phone rang from his pocket, killing the moment, and he stepped back as if relieved for the interruption to our madness.

“Ashford.”

I shamelessly eavesdropped while I finished cleaning up the kitchen. It sounded like the cleaning company was about finished up at Colomba. He pretty much confirmed that when he hung up that call and dialed someone else—clearly the security company folks. I wasn’t sure how to feel when he asked them to be there the day after next to get started on their part, then became agitated when it was clear there was some sort of delay on their end.

He punched out a few texts and followed up with his boss from the sounds of it, then did something in his room, I’d guess with all his files.

I had coffee ready and cake sliced by the time he rejoined me. “All good?” I asked.

“Yeah. The cleaners are almost done. Security company—”

“Is delayed. I heard.”

He lifted a brow my way as he sat back in his chair. “Hear anything else?”

I served him cake and coffee. “Like what?”

He nodded his thanks and picked up a fork. “Like your car alarm will be done tomorrow morning?”

“Oh. Missed that one.” I sat across from him and scooped up a bite of cake. “So how long is the delay on the alarm system?”

“At least another week. Maybe two.” He was frowning between bites, as if that was painful to him. “It’s a pretty high-end system we’ve ordered, so some of the parts are being shipped from out of the country.”

“Oh. Anything else?”

He swallowed and picked up his coffee. “And my cop friends have started contacting everyone from the studio to arrange their interviews. If they say anything to you, just say it’s routine as far as you know.”

I nodded, the whole idea unsettling. “Right.”

“If they don’t have anything to hide, it’ll be fine. Don’t worry about it.”

“I’m not worried about it. I just don’t like the thought of my friends being treated like suspects.”

“Everyone’s a suspect.” He tilted his head at me. “Don’t you watch any true crime on TV or anything? You always start by looking at those closest to the victim. It makes sense.”

“Okay, Detective.”

He shook his head with a half grin and demolished the rest of his slice of cake in a few bites.

We moved around each other the rest of the evening, both clearly still aware of our chemistry after that kiss but not sure what to do with it. When I told him I was going to head to my room for a shower and bed, he seemed relieved to be rid of me.

After a long, hot shower, I checked my phone and found several texts and missed calls.

First, a group text to the entire family with a photo of the new baby and the chain of congratulatory replies, to which I added my own. I also texted my brother privately, letting him know I’d stop by the hospital tomorrow with snacks but only if they were up for it.

He responded immediately: Yes, please. The food here isn’t great. Vanessa would love something with chocolate.

Me:On it.

Next was a text from Mom to me and Camden: Just wanted to wish all of you good night. Everything’s fine here, as you can see. Love you! Xo

She attached a photo of my father holding Elizabeth on his lap as they shared a bowl of ice cream, both of them glued to the TV, Isla right next to them with a grin on her chocolate-ringed lips.

I was smiling as well as I replied a good night to them and moved to my next message.

Whitney:Why aren’t you answering your phone, woman? You getting laid? Please tell me you’re getting laid! That guy is so fucking hot!

Whitney:Seriously tho... call me back. Some cop called and wants to ask me some questions. WTF?

Whitney:Officer Contreras

Whitney:He sounded hot in his message. LOL!

Whitney:CALL ME (when you have your clothes on!)

I was shaking my head when I saw the three missed calls from Whitney while I’d been eating dinner with Justin, then in the shower. I also missed one call from Deanna and one from Sofia, probably for the same reason, though they didn’t hound me with a dozen messages about getting laid or the possibility of Officer Contreras being hot.

I called Deanna first and gave her the brief explanation Justin had recommended. “I don’t know much. I think it’s just routine because of the break-in at the studio,” I said.

“I heard there was also a robbery at the insurance company across the street,” she said, worry in her voice. “I wonder if they’re related?”

“I have no idea,” I lied, just thankful none of my staff had any idea of what was truly going on.

“I’ll just be glad to get back to work.”

“Me, too.”

We hung up and I called Sofia. “Hey there. Sorry I missed your call. What’s up?”

“I was wondering about the studio? What happened? When might it open again?”

So, had the officer not asked her for an interview? “Well... like I said, it’s getting cleaned up and they’re getting it done as fast as they can. I’ll reopen as soon as I’m given the all-clear by the police.”

“Right,” she said, her voice tiny.

“Sofia? Are you okay?” Then it dawned on me, she hadn’t mentioned anything about her brother in a while. “Is everything alright with your brother?”

“Yes. And I’m still not sure.” Emotion filled her voice. “They haven’t found him yet.”

“That must be so hard. I’m so sorry, especially if all this at the studio is adding to your stress.”

“It’s fine.”

“No.” I sat on my bed and bowed my head, knowing Justin would hate this. “Look. A police officer might be calling to ask you some questions about the break-in... if you’re not feeling up to talking to him, just say so, okay?”

“Yeah, okay, but I don’t mind.”

I lifted my head when I heard Justin move down the hall and the bathroom door close, his proximity creating a physical reaction I couldn’t control. I tightened my grip on the phone with one hand and squeezed my comforter with the other.

I’m honestly not sure what else I said to Sofia as I listened to the sounds of Justin taking a shower. I threw down the phone and bit my lip as the throbbing became painful between my legs now that I knew what his touch felt like. His taste.

“Damn it!” I stood and began to pace as the water shut off, doing everything I could not to picture him naked, and epically failing because I knew he’d be glorious.

What was I doing?

I’d let one man brutalize my heart. I’d be damned if I gave that power to another.

I yanked up my phone and shot off a text reply to Whitney.

Not getting laid. Officer is just asking routine questions about break-in to all staff. No big deal. (No idea if he’s hot, guess you’ll find out.)

I let it go, hoping it would appease her.

No such luck. My phone rang right away.

“Hello?”

“Really, Liv?” she deadpanned. “You expect me to take that shit and be good with it? Do you know me at all?”

I sighed and threw myself across my bed to stare at my ceiling. “I do. Can’t say I didn’t try though.”

“So? Why the sudden need for interrogation?”

“I’m not supposed to say.”

She was silent for a long moment. “Well... I am on the short list of people who know the truth about Mr. McDreamy and why he’s there, so if you can’t spill it even to me, that must mean... wait one fucking minute! Are they looking at me for some of this shit that’s been going on?”

“I told you I’m not supposed to say anything, Whit.” Her silence was literally painful. “But you are one of the few people with a key to the studio, so they have to at least ask you a few questions, okay? So just answer them and let’s move on.” I threw my free arm over my eyes. “I know you didn’t do anything.”

“Of course I didn’t. I have the common decency to be terrifyingly obnoxious to your face on a daily basis.”

I huffed out a laugh. “Exactly.”

“So, can you get me the skinny on Officer Contreras before my meeting with him at noon tomorrow so I’ll know if I should wear my good bra?”

“You’re impossible.”

“But you love me.”

“Yes, I do.”

I slept soundlythat night other than one deliciously naughty dream that I could only recall in snippets. Something about Justin and a big soaker tub full of bubbling champagne and rose petals, and funny enough, Taylor Dayne singing in the background. I woke up with “I’ll Always Love You” on a loop in my brain. It was all stupidly romantic, and well, stupid.

I rolled my head to glance at the clock. It was only a little after six on a Sunday morning. I got out of bed and threw on some clothes, then made my way to the kitchen to start some coffee. While it brewed, I sent my mom a text, knowing she was an early riser.

Me:Good morning! You taking the girls to church today?

Mom:We were planning to.

Me:I think I’ll meet you there, then take Lizzie after service straight to the hospital to visit Cam, Vanessa, and the baby.

Mom:Sounds perfect. We’ll be going to see them this evening. See you soon!

In less than ten minutes, Justin padded into the kitchen, his black hair tousled, his jaw dotted with stubble. But what stopped me in my tracks was how disarming it was to see him relaxed and barefoot in a simple white t-shirt and flannel pajama pants, yawning like this was home. “Thanks,” he said as he accepted the mug of coffee I offered him. “Good morning.”

“Good morning.” I spun so I wouldn’t gawk and pulled out a package of English muffins. “I was going to head to the eight o’clock service at church this morning with my family and pick up Lizzie there, then go see my brother at the hospital. You’re free to do whatever you want while I’m gone. I should be back...” I turned to grab the butter and paused at his glower. “What?”

“I’m free?” he shot back.

“Um, yes?” I frowned. “I didn’t want to impose.”

“Impose,” he echoed.

“It’s church, Justin. I’ll be fine.”

He crossed his arms, that glower deepening. “Can we clarify something here?”

“Sure.”

He shot up an index finger. “First of all, I am the one who decides what’s a safety risk right now and what precautions need to be taken.” He added another finger. “Second, regardless of any personal lines we may have danced with, you and Elizabeth are not an imposition.” He spat the word like it was an insult. “I am here to protect you, and I am certainly not free to do whatever I want until any and all threats against you are eliminated permanently.”

I swallowed against my suddenly dry throat.

“Are we clear?”

“Perfectly.”

“Great.”

“So . . . you’re going to church with me?”

“Looks like it.” He sipped his coffee again. “I’ll just reschedule the install of your car’s security system for later today when we get back from the hospital.”

“Oh. Okay.” I turned back to preparing breakfast. “Thank you.”

“Yup.” He drained the rest of his coffee, then rinsed his mug and put it in the dishwasher. “I’ll just go get shaved and put on my Sunday best.”

Okay, so the man was disarming with his just-woke-up look, definitely delicious in the all-black getup he had on the day we met, but what he called “Sunday best”? Flat-out dangerous. To my heart.

When he reappeared, clean-shaven, his black hair gelled back, and his icy-blue eyes almost clear next to the turquoise button-down... I had to remind myself to take a breath. Paired with perfectly fitted black slacks and black dress shoes... I think I moaned out loud.

“You look really nice.”

I snapped to at his words and straightened my palms down my hips and tops of my thighs. I knew I looked good in the formfitting, shin-length dress that was the lightest dove gray. That may or may not have been the reason I chose it, along with lipstick-red heels. So I wanted to see what would happen if I tempted fate a little bit. Sue me.

“You look great, too. You clean up well.”

“Thanks.”

I smiled at him as he helped me into my coat, and I caught a whiff of his clearly expensive cologne. Wow. Okay.

We locked up and made our way out to my car, then headed to church. As we pulled into the parking lot, I suddenly realized I’d have to explain his presence to my parents.

He seemed to sense my hesitance. “What’s wrong?”

“I haven’t told my parents.” I faced him. “About you.”

His brow furrowed in confusion.

“I mean, I know we decided on the cover story and that I could tell the truth to anyone on a need-to-know basis, and I think that includes my parents, but I just...” I sucked in a breath. “I just didn’t want to worry them with everything going on, you know?” I faced him again before he could respond. “And they’ll never buy the old friend routine either.”

Before I could say anything else, he leaned over and kissed me.

Like the wanton woman I was, I groaned and sank right into him, letting him take the lead with his skillful mouth as he slid his tongue along the seam of my lips, seeking entrance.

My hand found itself clutching the collar of his shirt as things grew heated quickly, but before I knew it, he drew back to stare at me with hooded eyes.

“Wha—?” I tried but couldn’t form words.

A half smile formed on his luscious lips. “Just tell them we’re dating.”

“Dating?” I echoed, not comprehending, my brain a puddle of goo.

“Yeah.” He flicked his gaze to indicate just over my shoulder. “Since they just witnessed that, I don’t think it’ll be too hard for them to believe.”

“What?” I spun around to find my mom’s pleasantly surprised face as she waved at us with Elizabeth on her hip.

I shot back around, feeling my face heat. “Oh, shit.”

“It’s fine.” He cupped my face in his hand, and as usual, I melted into it. “Since you don’t want to tell them the truth and you don’t want to tell them the old friend story, tell them we’re dating. You can tell them the whole truth when everything’s over. They’ll understand.”

I thought about it for a moment, then nodded. “You’re right. Okay.”

“Okay.” For good measure, he leaned over and placed one last quick kiss on my lips. “Now let’s go to church.”

Yeah, the datingthing wasn’t hard to sell. Especially when Elizabeth practically threw herself down to run to him and wrapped herself around his legs like an adoring little octopus.

“Man Jusin!”

“Hey, little Juice Monster!”

She giggled, then raised her arms to him, silently demanding to be picked up.

He shot me a questioning look before bending to scoop her up like he’d done it a hundred times.

She wound her tiny arms around his neck and smiled at him like she’d just won the toddler lottery. The whole thing made my heart ache.

My father cleared his throat, and I knew I had to do something, and fast.

I pasted on a giant smile. “Mom. Dad. I’d like to introduce you to someone.” I grabbed his hand and reminded myself this was for the greater good. “This is Justin. We, uh, we’re dating.”

My dad’s eyebrows lifted to where his hairline used to be. “Dating? Since when are you dating someone?” He turned appraising eyes to Justin, sizing him up. “For how long?”

“Not long, sir,” Justin jumped in, letting my hand go to offer a handshake. “So nice to finally meet you, Mr. Creed. Olivia has told me so many nice things about you, including that you’re a retired soldier. As a former SEAL, I certainly admire that, sir.”

As my dad’s eyes lit up at that, I had to hand it to him. Military camaraderie was a good maneuver to get on my father’s good side quickly. “A SEAL, huh?”

“Yes, sir.”

I could feel my mother’s appraising eyes as she took in the scene, but she kept quiet. I couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking. Was she buying any of this?

“Why didn’t you tell us you were seeing someone, Liv?”

I turned toward my father at his question. “Oh, well...”

“That’s my fault, sir,” Justin piped up, saving me again. “She wanted to say something right after our first date, but I told her maybe it would be better to wait. See if things got serious. I didn’t mean to offend anyone.” Point number two, he was good with parents and protecting my honor.

“Ah, well, no harm done,” my dad said. “We’re glad to be meeting you now. And it certainly looks like our little Lizzie Bear has taken a liking to you.” He nodded toward where Elizabeth still clung to his neck like a tree sloth.

Justin grinned sheepishly. “I had no idea one cup of apple juice would work like a charm.”

Both men laughed like old friends and we turned collectively toward the church steps, my mom and I taking the rear, pushing Isla’s wheelchair, as the guys kept chatting.

My mom threaded her arm through mine. “He’s very handsome,” she whispered under her breath.

I shot her a glance. “Mom . . .”

She laughed. “I may be old, but I’m not blind.” Her laughter faded as we neared the double doors and she slowed to let them get ahead of us a few steps so she could look me dead in the eyes. “Just be careful, okay? I don’t want you to get hurt again. Either of you.”

My heart clenched painfully. “I know. It’s fine. We’re really just getting to know each other.”

She tilted her head, giving me her infamous Mom look. “Is that what you call it these days? When your father and I were younger, we called it making out.”

“Mom!”

She laughed again, then tugged me forward into the church, a big smile firmly in place.

Once we got inside and got Elizabeth and Isla checked in for children’s church, Justin became my silent, broody shadow again. It was as if being inside a church rubbed him wrong, but he kept it to himself.

Only I seemed to notice how his eyes continually scoured the place and everyone in it as we found our seats in the sanctuary and how he conveniently positioned himself between me and the doors. It was clear he was not a happy camper, his jaw tense and his shoulders rigid.

When the worship started and everyone was busy singing, I leaned over and whispered, “You can relax, you know. It’s church.”

“I am relaxed,” he whispered back.

I glanced down at his white knuckles where he gripped the hymnal. “Right.”

He was like a pillar of stone the rest of service, scowl firmly in place. He only seemed to breathe again once we finally stepped back out into the sunshine.

“Well, it was really nice to meet you, Justin,” my dad said. “I hope we can get together again soon.”

“Same here, sir.”

“Please, call me Fred.”

“Of course.” They shook hands again. “Great to meet you as well, Fred.” Justin turned to my mom. “And you too, Mrs. Creed. Looking forward to seeing you again.”

My mom ate up his blue gaze and dimpled smile like it was Grandma’s famous cherry crumble. “Yes,” she gushed. “Olivia will have to bring you out to the house for dinner.” She flashed me a look, clearly communicating we’d be having a conversation about him and this forthcoming dinner.

“Bye, Mom.” I leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Love you.”

“Love you, too.” She turned to Elizabeth, who was wilted and sleepy in my arms, her head on my shoulder. “Bye, little bug. See you soon.”

“Bye-bye.”

We finished our farewells, then headed to the car where I buckled Elizabeth into her car seat. She was asleep before we were out of the parking lot.

“That went well, I think,” Justin said, his tone unreadable. “I think they bought the dating story.”

“Yes,” I agreed. “Too bad now my parents are in love with you.” I glanced over before we turned out onto the road. “I think it’s gonna hurt them when I tell them the truth.”

“They’ll understand.”

“Will they?” Now I wasn’t so sure I shouldn’t have just been up front about everything, starting with telling my entire family about what happened in Italy with Christoph.

He was silent as we drove to the hospital.

I had to divert around the couple of news vans parked outside, apparently hoping for the scoop on the new arrival. The idea made me cringe. This was my brother, my family. My baby niece wasn’t a morsel available for public consumption. Still, I knew both my brother and sister-in-law had fans who were ravenous for any tidbits about their private life. Hell, their engagement and wedding had been one of the most covered by the press last year. Blew my mind.

I parked in the parking garage and carefully got Elizabeth out of her car seat while Justin got her stroller out of the trunk. It was weirdly comforting how we’d found a rhythm in the short time we’d known each other and were able to work in tandem without a word and get that done and get inside the hospital without incident.

We moved to the bank of elevators and made our way up to the maternity floor. As we checked in, it was not lost on me how the nurses were all checking Justin out. Seriously, who could blame them? The man was pretty epic in a suit.

“Here you go, Mr. Ashford.” The pretty redheaded nurse handed him his visitor sticker with a flirty smile.

He didn’t seem to notice, taking it without acknowledging her.

I took mine and thanked her, then we headed down the hallway toward the room she’d indicated.

It wasn’t hard to figure out which room was theirs. A big man in all black, much like the first day I’d met Justin, stood outside the door. I took in his chiseled profile and thick mocha-colored hair and recognized him as the man from the SUV outside my house. “Is that...?”

“My boss, Kade.”

The boss protected my brother and Vanessa personally. Guess that made sense.

Kade turned his head when he heard our approach, his dark eyes assessing us in one smooth stroke. “Ashford.” His face softened as he took in me and Elizabeth. “Ms. Creed.”

“Olivia is fine.”

He nodded, then moved aside so we could enter, their body language clearly communicating that they would speak later.

I knocked and waited a moment until I heard my brother’s voice calling out it was okay to come in. When I pressed open the door, we were greeted by a burst of color and fresh scent, balloons and flowers on every available surface.

Vanessa smiled at us with a sleepy but content expression from her bed, her breakfast tray beside her ready to be eaten. Across the room, Camden rocked in the rocking chair in the corner, his new daughter bundled in his arms and his face as peaceful as I’d ever seen it.

I approached quietly, Elizabeth still asleep in the stroller. I felt Justin’s presence pull away as he quietly remained near the door. “Hey,” I whispered, gazing down at my new niece’s face. “Congratulations, Daddy. She’s beautiful.”

Camden looked up at me. “Hey, sis. Thanks for coming.”

“Of course.” I parked the stroller in the corner next to the couch that had been his bed the night before, then turned to give Vanessa a hug. “You did good, Mom.”

She tilted her head toward my brother. “I couldn’t have done it without him. He got me through it when I was about to melt down with a panic attack. I mean, I knew this was coming and I was going to have surgery, but... it just came on so fast and I started to worry what if—”

She didn’t have to finish her thought. I was a mom. I got it. She couldn’t help but worry that something would go wrong again, just like it had with Isla. I reached for her hand and squeezed. “That’s understandable. But you did great.” I glanced at Cam. “All three of you did.”

“Yeah.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I can’t wait until your parents bring Isla by to see her.”

“She’s going to love her.”

“Yes, she is.”

“So... I heard you might be craving something chocolatey?”

Vanessa’s eyes lit with delight. “You didn’t!”

“Oh, but I did!” I pulled the gourmet chocolate bar from my purse and handed it to her. “It’s not much, but I figured it would do the trick.”

She snatched it from my hand. “It’ll more than do the trick. Thank you, Liv.”

“You’re welcome. Now...” I turned back to my brother. “You gonna let me hold that baby, or are you gonna hog her all day?”

He laughed. “I guess you can for a minute. Since you drove all this way and brought my wife chocolate.”

I rubbed my hands together and dashed over. “Gimme, gimme, gimme.”

He stood up so I could take his place in the rocker. Once I was settled, he handed me his precious bundle, then went back to Vanessa, helping her readjust in bed and getting her tray set up so she could eat.

I immediately bent to sniff the baby’s thick head of dark hair, then pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Your auntie Olivia loves you so much already, little one. You know that?” I whispered, already feeling that dangerous twinge of baby fever in my belly. “You are so perfect. So, so perfect.”

As I spoke to her in hushed baby speak, every one of my senses started to tune in to the silent man across the room. Suddenly, it was as if I could feel the heat of an inferno coming from his stare. I couldn’t help it and I made the mistake of lifting my gaze and meeting his.

It was as if his very soul was staring back at me in that moment, and I wanted nothing more than to dive into his ocean eyes and drown—because for the tiniest of split seconds, the briefest fraction of a heartbeat, I caught a glimpse of pure emotion... what it looked like to be truly cherished. How my dad looked at my mom. How my brother looked at Vanessa and his daughter. In that moment, I had that mysterious something I’d been looking for my whole life.

Then it was gone.

As if it had never existed.

I’m sure it never did. It was my imagination getting the best of me as I got carried away with the emotion of the moment.

I sucked in a breath and turned back to the baby, my heart suddenly thrashing like a storm-torn ocean against my ribs. I’d never had such conflicted feelings about a man in my life. Not even with Christoph. With him, our feelings were mutual for a time... at least I thought they were. Even if those feelings were wrong and ended incredibly badly.

Now, with Justin? These feelings? I didn’t even have a name for the tornado of emotions whipping itself around my heart, no matter how much I wanted to feel otherwise. No matter how much I told myself I shouldn’t be feeling this way. He’d said it himself... this was a professional relationship, nothing more. He was being paid, by my brother no less, to protect me and Elizabeth. Once the job was done, he’d be done.

But that wasn’t the worst of it.

What was the worst part of it all was not having a clue how he felt. Clearly, he was attracted to me—the way he kissed me and the immediate reaction of his body when we touched made that obvious at least. But when it came to anything more than physical, I was clueless. The man was like a steel safe with all of his deepest feelings locked up tight inside.

I chanced a peek at Justin’s face as he spoke quietly with my brother in the far corner, his profile so strong and serious. Yes, I could admit a big part of my heart would break when he left, but I would survive.

A few minutes later, he pulled his phone out and quietly excused himself from the room to take a call.

A nurse pushed through the door right after him to bring Vanessa some medication, so his hushed but tense voice carried back inside, and I thought I caught something like “not today.” I knew he’d rescheduled my car alarm install to go to church with me. I hoped this call wasn’t because that had put him to any trouble.

I stood gently with the baby and padded over to my brother and Vanessa. “Want her back?”

Cam smiled. “Done already?”

I tilted my head toward the door. “I think I need to check on that just in case he’s run into an issue on my account.”

Camden’s eyes flicked to the door, then back. “Okay.”

“You can have her for a few minutes, but she’ll need to eat soon,” Vanessa warned him between bites of pancake.

“Yes, mama.” Cam sat in the rocker I’d vacated.

I slipped out the door behind the nurse and saw Justin hovering in a corner, gripping his phone so tightly his knuckles were white, his expression a steely mask of feigned indifference, but somehow, I could see turmoil and pain writhing beneath the surface, which stopped me in my tracks.

“Tricia, look...” He bowed his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m sorry about the divorce. I really am. But I—” His words cut off as he listened, her pleading voice carrying even to me. “I know,” he said, his voice lower now, softer, as if she’d reminded him of something special they shared.

Who was I kidding? They did share something special. She was his first love. His ex-wife who had clearly broken his heart in the worst possible way.

I spun away, unable to take another second, only to find the other security guy—Kade—standing there like some kind of silent damn ninja, his dark eyes on mine full of disgustingly obvious pity. God, I was an idiot.