The Spiral Down (The Fall Up #2)(34)

And I had been about to f*ck her just so I could feel better about f*cking Henry.

God. I’m a prick.

“Hey, ” she said with a smile.

“Hey.” I rocked to my toes and wedged a hand into my pocket.

She pulled the door open wide. “You want to come in?”

“I can’t. I just wanted to come down to apologize and make sure you made it to your room safely.”

She shyly crossed her arms over her chest. “Yeah. The big guy walked me up when the coast was clear.”

“Good,” I whispered. “Listen, about that shit in the limo. I’m—”

She cut my apology off with a laugh. “It’s okay, Evan. I’d heard he was gay. It was more of a surprise when you said he wanted to mess around.”

“Yeah, but I still feel bad. I want you to know that we both think you’re incredibly beautiful and—”

“Evan, stop. You don’t have to do this. I’m not crying myself to sleep tonight because I’m not his type.” She shrugged. “Hey, I made it further than my snobby cousin, Tabitha, right? That’s a win in my book.”

I chuckled. “She really is a snob.”

We both laugh for a second before falling into an uncomfortable silence.

“Look, the threesome thing might not have worked out, but a twosome is still on the table.” Her eyes flashed to ground as her cheeks blushed.

I swallowed hard. “Jessica…I can’t. I’m really sorry.”

“It’s okay. I get it. Can’t blame a girl for trying. But, if you change your mind, I’ll be here, drowning my sorrows in the entire room service dessert menu on Henry’s dime.” She smiled. “Anyway, go on and get out of here. Get back to your guy.”

I threw my hands up in defense. “Okay, slow down there. He’s not my guy.”

She rolled her eyes and propped her shoulder on the doorjamb. “I was there, Evan. Remember? If he isn’t your guy, I can promise he wants to be.”

Panic built in my chest, but I covered it with a hearty dose of laughter. “Maybe. But that’s not going to happen. Trust me.”

“Oh, come on. He’s Henry Alexander. At least let him take you on a world tour or buy you a Porsche or something.”

I laughed. “And, on that note, I’m headed to bed. I’m sorry about everything, but it was nice to meet you tonight.” I smiled, backing away from her door.

“It was nice to almost have sex with you, Evan.”

I barked a laugh then watched her door close. When I heard the deadbolt, I dashed toward the elevator, shaking my head at the entire interaction.




The shower in the second bedroom was running when I got back to my suite. I was thrilled Henry hadn’t left, but I was nervous about talking to him. He deserved an apology too, but I had the feeling it wasn’t going to be as simple as it had been with Jessica.

Henry was incredible. Magnetic, really. It was hard not to want him. But the fact remained—I didn’t have anything to give. If he hadn’t been my boss, I would have taken the coward’s way out, cutting my losses and avoiding him completely. That wasn’t an option though.

The incendiary spark I felt for Henry needed to be extinguished before it had the chance to explode.

I paced a path in front of the bedroom door, waiting for him to emerge.

And emerge he did, dripping wet and in nothing but a towel wrapped around his hips. Drops of water glistened on his tan skin.

He froze when he saw me. Surprise and excitement passed over his face, but they quickly faded, leaving nothing but bitterness behind.

We spoke at the same time.

“You have a quickie?”

“Are you okay?”

The latter was me.

We responded at the same time too.

“What?”

“I’m fantastic.”

I didn’t believe him. Sure, he looked edible—but not fantastic. He was hurting, and just from looking at him, I felt the echo of his pain.

“Henry—”

“She kick you out?”

I had to clear the lump from my throat before I could answer. “Who?”

“Jessica,” he spat.

My head snapped back at his accusation. “What? No! I just went to make sure she got back to her room, Henry. Nothing happened.”

He rolled his eyes, walking to the snack basket he’d bought me. “It’s okay, Evan. I get it.”

He got it? Thank f*cking God, because I sure as hell didn’t get it. I had no idea why I felt as though I were constantly fighting a maelstrom of physical desperation every time he walked into a room. I didn’t understand how, after all these years of avoiding men, I was suddenly enamored by one I barely even knew. I didn’t understand how he had enraptured me with a single stare from across a crowded arena. I didn’t know why the heat from his flames consumed me like never before. I didn’t know why my mind was screaming at me to run as far away as I could, but my body absolutely refused. I didn’t know why I’d felt his pain in the limo as he’d admitted he was gay as if he had been coming out for the very first time. I didn’t know why I was still standing in that room with him when I was positive this was going to be a disaster.

But, if he held the answers to even one of those questions, I needed to know too.