CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Z ANE STOOD ALONGSIDE G RACE , unable to sling his arm around her shoulder like they’d agreed. He’d managed to stand with his hand hovering at her back on their way into the restaurant and he knew the photos had been uploaded directly to socials. Even so, he’d endured dinner with her at the restaurant just below the rooftop bar they were now heading to for the final part of the evening. He’d hated every second but he was determined to see it through. There would be more photos taken at the bar, which would ensure there would be no doubt—Zane deMarco was back to his one-date wonder ways.
‘At least try to smile,’ Grace murmured as they moved past the next photographer.
Tonight’s event was a frivolous summer celebration. No worthy high society charity do, this was a vibrant night offering excess and excitement and some new EP from some famous music producer. One that high-profile influencers posted live on their social media accounts. All pumping music, vibrant lights, short dresses, tight shirts, sparkles and skin...pure festival vibe. The rooftop club and bar was packed while the famous DJ dropped his best beats.
Zane shot his senior analyst a rueful look. ‘Thanks for this. I’m going to push off shortly.’
Grace didn’t even try to convince him to change his mind. ‘Thanks for getting me in here. I’ve always wanted to see this bar.’
‘Enjoy.’ He knew she’d be fine—she was on track for a fantastic night. Whereas he was officially over people and parties. He wanted nothing more than to be alone. He’d pay his driver triple time and go back to the beach tonight. He might have to take a bottle of whisky with him.
But he couldn’t resist a moment to check the stunning view of the Hudson River and the city lights, but three steps along he came face-to-face with Cade Landry.
‘Hey.’ Zane braced.
‘Who’s that?’ Cade jerked his head towards Grace, currently stalking her way through to the dance floor. ‘I thought you were seeing some petite brunette who works at Helberg.’ Cade’s eyes narrowed. ‘Which is pretty interesting, given everything.’
‘Didn’t work out,’ Zane said shortly.
‘No?’ Cade lifted his glass with a smirk. ‘That isn’t her heading towards us right now?’
Zane whirled and scanned the balcony, instantly spotting her petite frame amongst the revellers.
He’d died and gone to hell.
The scarlet minidress stopped his heart. The look in her eyes ripped it from his chest. Five days since he’d seen her. Five interminable days and endlessly restless nights.
She’d not been in touch and he’d been doing everything to keep himself distracted and not succumb to the temptation of calling her. He’d left the city for a couple of nights just to stop himself. It was while he was away then that he’d made this plan. Because he needed to be clear of everything she was associated with.
Quickly he turned back to Cade. ‘I’m out of the bet. I don’t want Helberg. You and Adam carry on without me.’
Cade’s jaw dropped. ‘You’re—’
‘Done. I’ve dated two women since the bet started. There’ll be more in the next few days. I’m out. Completely.’
He didn’t explain further. He just had to get away. From Skylar. From trying to explain it to her without...he didn’t know what.
He pushed through the crowds and got to the elevator, hitting the buttons to get him down. Out. Away. The lift didn’t come and the tightness in his chest worsened. He’d take the stairs. He weaved through the crowds again, no relief from that image of her in his mind, and as he turned the corner she was there. Right in his path, as if she’d just been waiting for him all along.
‘Why are you running away so early?’ she said.
Because he couldn’t stand seeing her. Especially not in that scarlet minidress. The long sleeves and high neck were made of something see-through while a silk slip the same colour covered her best bits beneath—but only just. It was playful and provocative as hell. Her hair was in that high ponytail and his ruby earrings sparkled in the light. But it was her eyes he really couldn’t handle seeing. Not the gleaming anger in them.
Why was she angry? He was the angry one.
‘What about your date?’ she asked over the top of the thudding music. ‘Are you just going to leave her alone here?’
His chest tightened even more. She was concerned for his date ? She wasn’t jealous at all—not even the slightest ?
‘She’s fine,’ he said tightly. Grace wouldn’t be at all bothered that he’d vanished. He desperately needed to get to the beach and down that bottle of whisky. Maybe two.
‘Are you deliberately throwing the bet with a fake date?’ Skylar stood right in front of him and she was taller because she was wearing high heels the colour of her dress.
He gritted his teeth. He did not want to answer that question.
‘Don’t you want Helberg any more?’ She followed up.
Of course she’d ask about Helberg. It really was her priority. And of course that was exactly why he’d decided to step back from it completely. And of course tonight’s bloody date was fake. ‘Right.’
Her eyes widened. ‘Why not?’ She drew a sharp breath. ‘What’s changed?’
‘The price,’ he muttered harshly. ‘Pushing up. It’s one I can no longer pay.’
‘You’ve decided it’s going to cost you too much?’
‘Something like that.’ He didn’t want to talk about this. He didn’t want her to know the truth. So he fudged. ‘There are safer investment options.’
‘Safer,’ she echoed.
Why had he ever wanted the stupid company—why had it mattered so much that he be that one to break it apart? He couldn’t remember why he’d felt that so intensely any more. Everything had been superseded by something else. Some one . And she was just staring at him now, her brown eyes deep and doubtful and angry.
‘I don’t care about what happened with Helberg any more,’ he growled. ‘That’s so long ago now. Maybe I can even thank him for motivating me to succeed. I probably wouldn’t have had that fire without his...damned judgment.’
She was still for a second and he tensed up even more.
‘So you’ve made peace with it?’ She blinked slowly. ‘Good for you.’
It wasn’t ‘good.’ He simply had no choice. Even though he knew she was only interested in him physically, he couldn’t be the one to break Helberg up. It would still happen, but at least it wouldn’t be him. It wasn’t that he cared about the stupid company—he cared too much for her. And while she’d finally acknowledged the problems with the company, she still didn’t want it to happen. And he didn’t want to be the one to cause her that hurt.
Irritated with his weakness for her, his control slipped. ‘Why are you here tonight? This isn’t your scene.’ He cleared his throat as a fierce glint flashed in her eyes. ‘How did you even get in?’
She didn’t move. For a moment he didn’t think she’d heard him.
‘You should leave.’ He wanted to leave. ‘It’s over between us, Skylar.’ He had to remind himself. ‘I’ve moved on.’
Her lips slowly curved. ‘You think I came here tonight to see you?’
Hadn’t she? ‘You’re wearing the earrings I gave you.’ His voice rose as his rage rose, because she looked stunning—make-up, jewellery, the things she’d never bothered with before. Was she here to meet other men ? ‘You’ve made an effort —’
‘Yeah, I did,’ she snapped. ‘I made an effort. For me .’
The music was beating so loudly Skylar couldn’t be sure he’d even heard her, but it didn’t matter. She turned and took her shredded heart and turned on her heel while she could remain upright. She needed to breathe. Just breathe. Just for a moment. Because in this instant she couldn’t keep it together, not for a second longer. And she needed to.
He’d crushed her. Blindly she walked—missing the exit, just heading to another part of the balcony bar. She’d seen his arrival at that restaurant with the tall blonde on her social media. It had popped up practically in real time. The strangest ice-cold rage had overcome her. She’d dressed, jumped in a cab and stalked with fierce confidence straight past the security guys at the door, who’d just waived her through. She’d had to see for herself if he was throwing the bet or if that date was real . Yet finding out it was fake hadn’t given her any relief, because seeing him again had ripped the barely formed scab from a wound she’d not acknowledged was so damned deep . She missed him. She wanted him. So very much.
She made it ten paces before stopping. It didn’t make sense. None of it made sense to her. What was he doing? Why? Was he really over a lifetime of anger? She needed to understand properly. Turning, she retraced her steps.
He was standing where she’d left him. His head was bowed as he leaned against the pillar and his expression almost yanked her already battered heart out of her chest.
‘Zane...’ she whispered.
He jerked his head up, somehow hearing her, and that haunted expression was instantly wiped. ‘What are you doing?’ he said harshly.
‘What are you doing?’ She glared at him. ‘You’re at a fabulous club with a stunning, beautiful woman and you look freaking miserable. Answer me honestly—are you okay?’
He stared at her. Stunned. And said nothing.
‘No?’ She stepped up close to him. ‘You know what I think? I think you’ve spent your life suppressing your own needs and protecting people from your true feelings.’
Exactly the same as she had. She’d been so good for so long. She’d done everything expected of her—and more—for her whole damned life. Even when she no longer actually had to. And it was enough already.
‘You think I suppressed my needs around you ?’ he mocked harshly.
‘I’m not talking about sex.’ She breathed hard. ‘At least, not only sex.’
He stared at her.
‘You ended this with me before you needed to because what, you actually opened up for five minutes? You got uncomfortable with that?’ She shook her head. ‘The thing is, you’ve got more to offer a woman than you think.’
‘Skylar—’
‘I get that you don’t want me. I get that.’ She stretched up as tall as she could and spoke furiously, right in his ear. ‘I thought you were totally cold beneath that playboy exterior. That superficial charm masked an empty shell. That you took things apart because you’re not whole and you can’t stand to see other things complete.’
His nostrils flared.
‘But you’re not,’ she said huskily. ‘You brought me my favourite food, remembered the things I like to do. You supported me in my one hobby...that wasn’t all part of the game. That was you . You’re a caring, kind guy. You have more than great sex to offer someone, you know? You should have a person in your life.’
She really wanted to be that person, and while she could accept his decision that she wasn’t, she desperately hoped he might change his mind. That he might be hiding so much more—same as she.
But he just stared down at her. ‘I thought you said I was an arrogant prat,’ he said roughly.
She rocked back onto her heels. ‘The fact is you know me better than anyone else, but I know you too. I know how you can hide hurt, Zane. You even told me how good you are at it. I think you’re afraid, and I don’t blame you because you took some rough blows when we were young. But you can’t hide it for ever. It’ll rise,’ she said, her voice catching. ‘Eventually it’ll become impossible to ignore. And all the partying in the world, all the money you can make, won’t be distraction enough. And when you finally realise that maybe you do have the courage to face it, and let someone in, it might just be too late.’
He still didn’t move. The man was ice. He wanted to stay that way. And it was too late for her already. Her shredded heart broke right in two. She blinked, furious with her loss of emotional control in the face of his rigidity. But that’s where they were different now, right? She let herself feel. He still didn’t.
‘You should go home,’ he said gruffly.
‘Screw that.’ She lifted her chin with a defiant sniff, determined to mask up again. ‘I’m going dancing.’