Just One Taste (Topped #2)(46)

She pulled away. “Eric, I don’t know about that. I think it might be best if we kept that part of our lives separate.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean the work part. When I said we could see each other, I was talking about in the club. You can pick me up and we can have dinner or something, but I don’t know that I want to be involved in your business.”

That was about as plainly as she could put it. He knew why she was saying it, but it still felt like a kick in the nuts. “We’re going to be living in a new city and working demanding jobs. You don’t want to even talk about our work? I’m going to be starting up a business, Deena. It’s going to take most of my time. I suppose when I said we would see each other, I kind of saw you coming in and having dinner and hanging out.”

“Hanging out? Or doing your books and making sure you get free business advice?”

He put a hand up. “I wasn’t thinking of it that way. I don’t know, maybe I was. Not the free part. Of course, I can pay you for the initial consult. I guess when I really think about starting up, I saw you with me. When I think of building this restaurant, I see us working together.”

“That’s not going to happen. I have a job, Eric. It’s a good job.”

He knew that. He knew it was a long shot. “Like I said, if you’ll take a look at the plan, I’ll pay you. I won’t ask you to do anything beyond that. If you only want to see me at the club, then that’s how it will be. I think I am going to head home.”

She caught him before he reached the door. “Please stay. I’m sorry. I was harsh and we’re both tired. Can we talk about this in the morning?”

Would anything change? Did any of it matter if this kept coming between them? “I’m trying not to push you, Deena, but knowing that you think I would use you that way doesn’t bode well for the two of us. Maybe you’re right and we should keep everything separate.”

“Or we can sleep on it and talk about it again tomorrow,” she said quietly. “When you’re supposed to take me to breakfast so I don’t have to eat stale cereal again. Please, Eric. I’m sorry. I meant what I said the first time. I need a little time, but I know now that I don’t need to spend that time away from you.”

“Even the time you spend with me…is all you want D/s?” He knew he was pushing her and he’d said he wouldn’t, but he needed to know the answer to that particular question. He could be patient, but if all she ever wanted was a relationship that occurred in a club and with quick couplings, he would have to rethink. The idea that she didn’t really want him shook him to his core.

“I don’t know.” There were tears in her eyes and that was what forced his hand.

He leaned over with a long sigh and kissed her forehead. “All right. We’ll talk more in the morning. What side of the bed do you want?”

He couldn’t leave her crying. Not even to save his own pride. And who knew? Maybe things would look better in the morning. Or maybe they would be very clear and it would be easier to have a frank discussion about breaking it all off. The one thing he knew? They weren’t fixing shit tonight.

“I tend to sleep on the right. I think I might snore.”

He chuckled because she made it sound like the worst thing a person could do. “I can handle it.”

“Actually, I’ve been told I sound like a dying water buffalo.”

Was that why she wouldn’t sleep with him? God, if he ever met her ex-husband he would pound the man into the ground. All of their problems seemed to stem from that asswipe. “Somehow, I’ll make it through. Good night.”

He turned and walked down the short hall that led to the only bedroom. Deena’s bedroom was oddly utilitarian, as though she’d gone through a discount housewares store and bought whatever was on sale and not a bit more than was required. There was a dresser and a double bed that his legs would likely hang off. Her bedspread was a plain dark blue matching the pillows. Those pillows weren’t decorative though. He’d had a girlfriend whose whole bed was covered in pretty pillows that she had to move every time she got into bed. She’d claimed they made her happy.

There was nothing in Deena’s bedroom that looked like it made her happy. He was beginning to wonder if he could make her happy.

What was he doing? He knew when to walk away. He’d done it before when it was obvious a relationship simply wasn’t going to work. Why couldn’t he do it now?

Because he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted another woman. Because he knew deep down if he could get past those walls she’d built around herself that she was the one. She was the one for him. He was the one for her. They could make a life together if only she wanted to.

He kicked off his boots and tried to let it go. He shrugged out of his shirt and got down to his boxers. Every muscle in his body ached and earlier he’d been cool with that. Earlier it had been proof that he was helping out the woman he was crazy about. Now it was just pain.

He turned off the light and pulled down the bedspread. He lay down, but didn’t cover up because it was hot in her bedroom. He would cool off in a few minutes. His eyes drifted closed, but he couldn’t shut his brain down.

“Turn over.”

He opened his eyes and she was standing beside him. She’d spoken to him quietly, but there had been some command in her voice. It rankled since all she seemed to require from him was dominance. “Excuse me?”