Dungeon Games (Masters and Mercenaries #6.5)(50)

“He taught me everything I know.” Her hands were still shaking slightly. Derek had pushed her. When she got that into a corner, she struggled to handle it. She couldn’t break down in front of him. Maybe he thought she was a whore, but at least she was a strong one.

She needed something to do. She started making coffee. It was going to be a long night.

“Hey, has that package come in?” Terry asked.

She turned on the faucet. For once her sink was clean. Really clean. So was the coffee pot. It made her life so much easier. And she could find things, like the note from the office she’d gotten yesterday. She’d forgotten about it because Derek had shoved her over the bar and spread her legs wide. “Yes, but I’m going to have to get it tomorrow. It’s after five and the manager’s office is closed.”

Derek frowned. “I thought the office closed at six every day.”

“Saturday is early bird special at the diner. She closes up at five.” She opened the cabinet, praying she had some coffee left, but she should have known. Derek had two cans in a neat line along with the filters and sugar. Such a freak.

A freak who had a wife who had cheated on him. Many times. How had that affected him? And it wasn’t like she’d told him anything. Every time he asked about her friendships with the guys, she’d deflected. Now she could see he’d tried to talk to her about it. And there were plenty of lifestylers she knew who didn’t have a problem with casual sex, even after marriage. None of them were at Sanctum, but it was very likely Derek knew some.

He was jealous. Blindingly jealous. What the hell was she supposed to do with that? She’d expected him to be distant with her. He hadn’t been that. He’d gotten close. He’d been open.

“I’m going to talk to the manager about that. And the security in the building. And the downstairs bathroom.” He moved to the bar. “Do you want me to go and talk someone into getting your package?”

He shouldn’t be allowed to be sweet. Jerk. He made her mad, but then maybe that was what people in love did.

Damn it. She couldn’t be in love with Derek Brighton. She just couldn’t.

Terry put his good hand up. “No, no. Karina, don’t go to any bother. I was just curious. I was in the neighborhood.”

She sighed. She’d promised him she’d look out for the package and then she’d kind of avoided it. Guilt bit her again, a feeling in the pit of her stomach. Kevin’s things were in that package. Kevin had saved her. Kevin had loved her. Shouldn’t she be waiting for anything that belonged to him? But no, she was busy in bed with Derek Brighton, who accused her of sleeping around. Who cleaned her apartment and brought her coffee every morning. Who rubbed her feet and then sucked on her toes until she laughed and tried to wriggle away from him.

She’d started out comparing the men because she’d thought Derek would pale. Derek took care of her. Kevin’s version of D/s had been different. He’d been older than her and he’d had expectations of a wife. He would never have made her a deal that she cooked and he cleaned. He made the money and she took care of the house. It had been good for her at the time. She’d been happy, but now she wondered if she would have stayed that way or if they would have fought as she found her career. Maybe they would have grown together, but she wondered.

Her love for Kevin had been a combination of hero worship and a young girl’s love. He’d been her savior, her father figure, her mentor, her lover.

Derek had somehow become her friend. Derek had somehow become her partner, despite the fact that he had serious issues.

So did she. What if they could work it out?

“Karina? Are you okay?” Terry was staring at her.

Derek was, too, but he looked more curious than worried.

“I’m fine.” She shook off her worries. It would do no good to dwell on them. She couldn’t figure anything out tonight. She needed to let it go or she would end up in a bad place. She needed to get through the night at the club with Derek and then she could ask Li to take her to a meeting. She would let Derek believe anything he liked.

Or she could try to talk to him. She could see if he could understand.

Terry slapped the counter. “You’re more than fine, sweetheart. You’re great.” He stood up and gave her a long look. “I have to get out of here. I’m meeting a friend for dinner. You probably won’t be able to get that package until Monday.”

He was right about that. “Sunday is the manager’s day off. I’ll pick it up Monday morning.”

“Then maybe we can have dinner Monday night.” Terry walked around the bar and gave her a hug. “It would be good to catch up. If you’re not doing anything, of course.”

“Absolutely.” There was something odd about holding him. Maybe he was thinner than he used to be, but something about his arms around her felt off. She couldn’t put her finger on it. It didn’t matter. Just being around Terry made her feel guilty. Made her worry she didn’t think enough about the family that had helped her.

He stepped back and nodded. He frowned Derek’s way and then made his way to the door, opening it with his right hand and leaving.

And she was alone with Derek.

She stopped, afraid to turn around because she didn’t want to start the fight again. She couldn’t go back into this with him. Not tonight. She needed calm.