Her words bring a brief smile to my lips. Helena is my sanity. One of the only people I can openly speak to without feeling judged or overwhelmed. I would be so lost without her.
I stab the twelfth floor button, but then I watch Bryce’s white Converse enter the elevator and it’s all over. Confined anywhere near him is the last thing I want to be.
At least we’re not alone.
Bryce’s broad shoulders brush against mine when he steps in. Those distant green eyes linger for a fraction too long and for a moment I debate stepping out and taking the stairs. Hesitation has never blinded me more. There is nothing I want more than to be away from this man. Giulio is right. I feel it too, the mystery that looms above Bryce’s head from the first moment I met him
The elevator stops on numerous floors before the top floor permitting Bryce and me to create a distance between us. Silence floods the space. Instead of a quick elevator ride, this one is beginning to be the longest of my life.
There’s still another man dressed in a navy business suit, and he seems to be heading for Notti Designs too. I recognize him as Mr. Jermaine, one of the realtors set to meet Lance.
“Aye…I won’t bite, Valencia.”
Oh, here we go…
“I don’t know that.” I raise my chin high, displaying my resistance is not based upon Bryce’s reputation, it’s wholly based upon last night. He went too far. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Fine. But you can’t escape my existence. We work together.”
Not for long. I’m out of here in six weeks, McCarson.
His words reel me in despite his cruel gaze, but I stare ahead, unable to look at the dark bruises around his eyes and swollen nose. It doesn’t seem broken, but it’s obvious Giulio did some damage.
“So last night was something else, huh?”
Mr. Jermaine glances our way and bites back a smirk before he turns back to his phone.
Perfect. Now he thinks the absolute worst about McCarson and me. Just what I need.
“I had too much to drink.”
“Same. It didn’t surprise me ya know who ruined the night. He has a tendency to ruin things.”
“He didn’t ruin it.”
“He did in my book.”
“I beg to differ, Bryce.” I shake my head and turn to him, noting the way his jaw clenches when he rubs his beard. It’s a long steady stroke. His lack of speech falls on white noise and when the elevator doors slide open; I excuse myself to step through to Notti Designs first.
My heels slap against the concrete floor, but Bryce is right behind me. I want to be alone. I want a couple of moments to simply recenter and come to terms with the consequences of working here.
Kayla steps in my direction, oblivious to the reason I’m speed walking. “A couple letters came in for you and Giulio. I’ve left them on your desk.”
I force a smile. “Thank you.”
In the distance, the normal chatter comforts me. Nothing can happen here. I drop my bag on my desk, eyeing the two ivory letters. Each has our names in printed blocks.
“Aye! Valencia!” I keep my head straight towards the desk, disregarding Bryce’s deep, rumbling accent. “I’m sorry if ya felt as though I was forcing ya. It wasn’t my intention. I was drunk. It felt good but I wasn’t gonna go any further. Not more than what you wanted. I thought ya wanted a change. Give me a chance to start over. Maybe we could have some lunch together today to talk everything through, yeah?”
“That wouldn’t be a good idea.”
“Okay. How about dinner then?”
“Bryce, please stop this.”
“Stop what?”
I spin on my heel and find myself trapped by my desk and his hard chest. It’s barely enough to stand straight, let alone think clearly. My heart shifts to a place of uncertainty.
I miss my kids.
It’s hard to glance up at Bryce and not feel as though my head is on fire. “Look, maybe last night was an off night. I’m not saying it’s what you do to women but you did it to me and so I hope you can respect I need time to recover.”
“Is that a no to the dinner?”
“You’re…being friendly, I get it, but I’m not looking for a relationship. I’m not looking for somebody to satisfy my needs, no matter how strong the desire can be at times. I’m going through a rough patch in my life, the separation and abduction have destroyed me. I need time to find myself again. So pl-please, I don’t feel comfortable with how close you’re standing.”
McCarson makes a brief effort to stand back, but I can still smell him. That rugged, bergamot scent. He cocks his head to the side, brows furrowed. “So, you didn’t enjoy last night?”
For the love of…
“Your body was involuntarily pressed against mine! What part of that statement do you not understand?” I hiss. Enough of being nice. I decide I’m not taking this any further. “I don’t want anything to do with you. Am I clear?”
Bryce grinds his jaw. It reveals the type of man he is. Feisty. Cunning. Manipulative. Redness pulls across his face, settling at the base of his neck. “Is this Giulio telling ya to say all these things? Because I swear that man is gonna do me nut in if he—”
“No, I’m saying them myself! Giulio doesn’t control me! And while we’re at it, what the hell does do me nut in even mean?”
“I honestly don’t believe that he isn’t contributing and it means to drive someone insane.”
“Well you’re wrong because I’m speaking my own truths and I would appreciate it if you’d respect them, Mr. McCarson.”
“And how about my own truths? I have no idea how many lies he’s feeding ya about me. I’m not the type of man who jumps on any woman. I admit that I was wasted and shouldn’t have gone that far last night, but everybody makes mistakes. Right?”
An apology.
It’s all
