Hero(72)

Effie rolled her eyes, but she was smiling as she engaged an older couple in conversation.

People waved who recognized me and I smiled politely back, letting Henry edge me closer to Caine. He was standing on the balcony, his back to me as he watched the game. He looked remote out there, even surrounded by so many people.

My anger drifted away.

He liked it this way. He liked to be alone even with so many others around him.

But I was beginning to think he was unable to be alone around me … and I realized then that was why he’d never invited me to share the game.

Until he’d seen me there. With someone else.

“Better go say hi to the boss.” Henry winked at me.

Although Caine hadn’t told a soul about our relationship, I knew Henry had very definite suspicions that something was going on between us. Other than Effie, he was the closest thing Caine had to family. And he was a smart man. He knew Caine well enough to note changes in his schedule, his demeanor, and his attitude with me.

Feeling butterflies flutter to life in my belly, I strode out onto the balcony and settled in beside Caine, keeping a few inches of space between us. I glanced up at his profile, hating the way those butterflies went crazy just at the mere sight of his face. “Hey.”

“Who are they?”

I flinched at the coolness of his tone. “Friends. A college friend and her husband and his colleague.”

“You didn’t think it was important to mention you’d be at the game tonight?”

His words were quiet, but I could feel the tension emanating from him, and my own frustration and irritation started to build again. “You didn’t tell me you were coming to the game.”

“I have season tickets. You know this.”

“You don’t always go to the game,” I argued softly.

“I don’t care that you came to the game.” He finally looked at me, anger in his dark eyes. “I care about the guy who is all over you.”

I should have been thrilled by his jealousy, but I wasn’t. Not anymore. I was sick of the uncertainty between us. “Rachel set up a blind date and didn’t tell me. I told him right away that I’m … seeing someone.”

“I don’t think he got the memo.”

“And you can tell that from up here?”

Caine suddenly leaned into me, clearly forgetting where we were and that we had an audience. “I saw you weren’t doing much to dissuade him.”

I looked pointedly over my shoulder, silently reminding him where we were.

He pulled back, his jaw clenched as he stared forward again.

I edged close enough to him so he would hear me without anyone else overhearing. “I wasn’t encouraging him, and honestly this whole possessive bullshit is pissing me off.”

Caine threw me a cutting look, but I refused to be intimidated. “I’m not the only one who gets jealous,” he reminded me.

“No, you’re not. And do you know why we’re acting like crazy people? Because you’re not willing to give the whole ‘friends’ part of our deal a real shot. There is uncertainty between us because you keep throwing up this wall.” I looked over my shoulder again, double-checking that no one was near us. My gaze returned to meet his. No more games. No more tactics. Honesty. It was all I had left. “This isn’t just sex, Caine. This is an affair.” I held my hand up to stop his coming protest. “I’m not suggesting permanency. I’m suggesting that you admit that there’s a difference in what we’re doing here. We aren’t two people who just have sex now and then. There are feelings here whether we want to admit it or not. I’m not asking for forever. I’m asking you to stop pushing me away. I’m asking you to be real with me for however long this lasts.”

His eyes blazed. “And if I don’t?”

My knees trembled. “Then I think we should end it.”

He exhaled and looked away again.

Time to be even braver. “I don’t want to end it. I don’t think you do either.”

“And what makes you think that?” he drawled lazily, and I almost believed his indifference.

Almost.

“We’re not done with each other.”

After a few seconds Caine looked at me again and I saw the heat and longing in his eyes. “No, we’re not.” We held each other’s gaze for a few moments and that burn of desire started to pool low in my belly. “So, what exactly do you suggest, Lexie?”