Bile rises in my throat and jealousy like I’ve never known blisters through my veins. Tears well up and my nose stings right as an arm wraps around my shoulder. Evin’s lips press to my temple and he tenses.
“What the fuck?”
“I didn’t mean to read this. I thought it was my phone and Ryanne was…”
“Baby—”
“I think we should go.” I suck in a breath and shrug his jacket from my shoulders. “And I’m going home.”
“Fuck me. Baby, this isn’t what it seems.”
I glare up at him and barely wipe the other tears that fall. “I’m a virgin, but I’m not a fool! You haven’t dated, yet this woman feels comfortable texting you at midnight her time to tell you she’s waiting for you at home? I know how this shit goes. Been there, done that before.”
His face goes hard, his jaw ticking and the beauty of his eyes growing to a deep brown in anger. Without a word, he rips his wallet out and waves his credit card at the bartender.
“You’re not going home.”
“I am going home.” I slide off the chair and slink by him. “This is over.”
“No, you’re going to listen to me explain why that text means nothing.”
My instincts are telling me to get my phone and get away. I can go to Dante’s for the night and get my things from the hotel tomorrow when Evin’s gone.
A low growl rumbles from his throat as his arm goes to my waist, tucking me to him. “If you run, I’ll catch you. Whatever you’re thinking is wrong.”
I peer up and a tear escapes. His hard glare softens and fills with regret. “Shit, don’t cry.”
Swiping the tear, I look away and swallow the emotions clawing at me.
When the check is paid, he grabs his jacket and links my hand in his. Outside, the strip is revving up for another big night. I mindlessly take in the people, the lights, the sounds. All the years I’ve lived here, it’s never made sense how people can get swept up in the hype. Now it makes sense.
We pass the fountains as the music begins and I tug Evin’s hand to stop.
“Not in the mood for the show tonight,” he clips.
“Please?”
He studies me, his hand squeezing tightly. “Fuck, I can’t say no to you.”
I find myself back in his hold, my back pressed to his front with his chin on my shoulder. While the water, music, and lights all dance to a beautiful tempo, I think about what happened. My heart stammers in my chest, but my brain clicks into rational mode.
What the hell was I thinking? Out of nowhere, a vicious memory from long ago slams into me.
The starry-eyed young girl staring at the man she thought she loved. The man she planned to surprise with a night of romance that would lead to everything he’d been waiting for.
The same man that had another woman in his arms the last time I saw him.
Evin doesn’t deserve to be punished for him.
The show ends too soon, shutting down before I can figure out exactly how to apologize. He keeps me close through the crowd of people and I’m thankful the elevator ride is full, giving me the extra time to think.
We get into the room, and I’m immediately swarmed with thoughts of the last few days. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have read your private messages. It was intrusive and inappropriate. This has been wonderful—”
“Shut it, Poppy. Don’t finish that sentence.”
I jerk at the abrasive and coldness of his tone. He tosses his jacket to the chair and takes his phone out of his pocket, scrolling his screen. “Unfuckingbelievable. If the roles were reversed, I’d be a madman. Some man sends you a message at midnight telling you they want to see you? I’d lose my mind. Right now, I’m so fucking pissed I’m trying to hold it together.”
“Truly, Evin, I shouldn’t have seen that.”
His head snaps up, his eyes blazing with anger. “Baby, I’m not mad you saw it. I’m furious she upset you, put doubts in your head, and made you cry. She doesn’t have that right nor that power. She’s not a part of my life.”
“Then why did she send that? You said you didn’t date anyone recently. She obviously thinks differently.”
He scrubs a hand through his hair and exhales loudly. “Goddammit.”
His attitude and expression are all I need to see the picture. “Oh,” is all I say at first, then I remember her words. “Was it easy to walk away? She mentioned you seeing her with another man. Did that bother you?”
“No, it didn’t bother me. Whatever you’re thinking is nothing like what happened. Rina and I had a casual thing. We didn’t date.”
“I may be inexperienced, but I’m not naïve. This was more than casual. She had deeper feelings.”
“I swear this makes me the biggest asshole on the planet, but I have to set your mind straight. You asked if it was easy to walk away and the answer is yes. There was absolutely no emotional entanglement on my end. We’d meet up once in a while. It was convenient and simple until it wasn’t. She wanted more and gave me an ultimatum. I ended things.”
“How long did you… ummm… see her?”
“Apparently, long enough to give her the impression she could pressure me.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“Does it matter how long it went on? It’s over, it’s been over for a while. Her trying to pick back up isn’t happening. I’ve told her that.”
“Her messaging you in the middle of the night doesn’t look like she got the message.”
“No, it looks desperate.”
“Is there any chance she’s—” I trail off, not able to stomach the words.
“Hell, fuck, no.” His face morphs into horror and disgust. “Get that out of your head. If that woman is pregnant, it’s not by me.”
A small amount
