Hot Commodity (Banks / Kincaid Family #1)(21)

Gasping, Olivia took a step back. "Why, you awful, awful man. I see why your wife killed herself."





Six



Olivia’s hands fisted inside the sleeves of Cameron Banks’ long-sleeved shirt. If they’d been free, she would’ve slapped him. As it was, her words seemed to knock him back as effectively as any physical blow she could’ve produced. He blanched and lurched a step in reverse. But he stopped moving so abruptly, she wondered if he’d been petrified. Then he swallowed, and by the expression on his face, he was ingesting razorblades.

For one awful, drawn-out second, she feared he might burst into tears. His bottom lip trembled and his eyes went moist. It took her a moment to remember what she’d said in her rage. When she realized she’d accused him of driving his first wife to suicide, she stopped breathing, appalled by herself.

Oh, God.

Olivia could actually see where all his insults toward her originated. Her tale was ludicrous. If she were him, she’d probably think she was merely following her mother’s orders too. She always had before. But his words had hurt, so she’d lashed back with the first thing she could think to say.

Her mother always made similar comments, telling Olivia her father had killed himself to escape such an awful daughter. Over the years, she’d grown numb to the barbs, had actually become immune to them. So it was a little surprising to see how adversely they affected Cameron Banks.

Ashamed she’d reverted to one of her mother’s techniques, she sank back a step. His agony-filled face started to blaze with color, making Olivia’s eyes widen. Instead of fearing he might cry, she suddenly worried he would attack. His nostrils flared and his eyes cleared, turning a hard, dangerous black.

"That’s it," he said from between his clenched teeth. "You’re getting the hell out of here. Right now. I don’t care if I have to drive you to California myself. Get your things. You’re leaving."

Olivia blinked rapidly, trying to beat down the sudden urge to weep. She felt awful. God, why hadn’t she slapped him instead? She must be the lowest life form on earth, worse than the scum that grew on pond scum.

"I...I don’t have anything," she whispered, her voice small and timid.

"Just my top." She looked down at the baggy shirt adorning her body. "What about your—"

"Keep it," he bit out. "Go get your top and let’s go. Now."

Not wanting to argue, Olivia rushed back to the room where she’d spent the night in his arms. As she snagged the piece of black leather off the bed, she caught sight of the empty condom wrapper on the floor. It had been intended for his use, and he had indeed used it. Suddenly sick, she glanced away.

If Vivian found out about this, she’d be thrilled. The one time Olivia had tried to break free, she’d ended up doing exactly what her mother wanted. Her stomach roiled; she thought she might vomit.

She’d been a fool to attempt rebellion.

Tucking the bustier under her arm, she rushed from the room and away from the glaring reminder of her failed try at a new start.

Cameron stood waiting by the opened front door, impatiently jiggling his keys. He stormed outside when he saw her, and Olivia followed.

He drove them to the airport in stony silence. Too miserable to speak, she remained mute.

She was returning to Vivian. Dear Lord, she had to go back.

Shadowing her the entire way, Cameron accompanied Olivia to the front desk to buy a ticket. When she heard the price, she counted the cash on her and was panicked when she discovered she didn’t have enough money, not by half.

Grumbling, Cameron jerked his wallet from his back pocket and paid her fare. He didn’t glance at her once as he did so. Olivia didn’t bother to thank him. She instinctively knew he’d only snap at her if she tried.

After that, he escorted her to her terminal. She bit her lip as she walked beside him, unable to understand why he was being nice to her when he was still obviously so mad. His presence comforted Olivia, though. Glad she wasn’t by herself and grateful he was being considerate despite his animosity, she hovered next to him and tried to think up something to say.

Realizing this was the last time she’d see him, she lifted her face. Maybe it was the physical intimacies they’d shared, but suddenly she felt a connection to him. She didn’t want to leave. She was going to miss him. Last night had been nice.

He’d been the best time she’d ever had.

She didn’t want his abhorrence. She wanted to somehow fix the rift. When they called her flight, she bit her lip. Now or never.

"I’m sorry," she said quietly and a little desperately. "It was a stupid thoughtless thing to say." He refused to meet her gaze, and Olivia swallowed her disappointment. "I didn’t mean it. I just...I—"

"I’ll have my lawyer send you the papers through the mail," he said, then turned and stalked off only to pause a few feet later and pivot back. "You’re positive you’ll be okay? If you’re that scared of her, I can—"

"I’ll be fine," Olivia said, her eyes opening wide at his way-too-kind offer. She waited until he nodded and turned away again before she blinked back the tears.

As she watched him walk out of her life, her shoulders slumped. He might’ve been the one man she’d wanted to avoid, but he’d given her something no one else ever had: a night full of hope.