Risky Play (Red Card #1)(28)

The first drawer had socks.

The second held numerous tanks, and finally a cute band T-shirt that looked like it would be way too small on him.

I tossed it on the bed, then peeled my wet shirt over my head just in time to hear barking.

“Traitor,” Slade said under his breath when Alfie came running into the room. I had nothing on but my bra. He looked his fill like he was actually allowed to after the way he’d treated me.

Shame washed over me. In a new way.

Shame that he could see me and not be affected.

Shame that I was that easily forgotten.

Left behind.

I quickly turned around, grabbed the shirt, and pulled it over my head, then pulled my hair out from underneath.

“Nice choice.” He seemed amused.

I looked down, noting how it fit tight across my chest. “This can’t be a guy’s shirt.”

“You would be accurate in your assessment. I was actually planning on burning all memories of the fiancée. I must have grabbed one of her shirts without noticing it . . .” He shrugged. “Silver lining? That was never tight across her chest.”

“Are you calling me fat?”

His eyes widened. “No . . . I know it’s shocking, but I actually mean it as a compliment, you have nice . . .” He shook his head. “Never mind, let’s go sign shit.”

“I think this house has seen enough shit,” I grumbled, glaring at Alfie. He whined and started licking my heel.

With a sigh I bent down and kissed him on his head. “No more mice or birds, and if you see a pet parakeet . . . self-control, buddy, self-control.”

He licked my hand again and tried nuzzling my body.

Slade folded his arms as a pained expression crossed his features. “Let’s go.”

“Yeah.” I stood and followed him back to the kitchen while Alfie trailed behind us, nearly falling head over paws down the last few stairs because he built up so much speed. The guy ran sideways, he was going to be big.

I smirked as his paws slammed against the kitchen floor in an effort to stop himself from running into the table.

Slade stepped over him and grabbed a stack of papers from a black portfolio.

I sat at the table and waited for him to say something.

He didn’t.

He just handed me a pen with a weird expression on his face.

I narrowed my eyes. “What exactly am I signing?”

“Another NDA, nothing fancy. I just need to cover every angle, every possible outcome . . .” He drummed his fingertips on the table. “Do you want a cup of coffee?”

“As long as you promise not to throw it at my chest,” I teased lightly.

His eyes lowered. Damn, the man had the lazy, half-lidded gaze down like a champ. He didn’t answer, just turned and went over to the Keurig.

I pulled the cap off the pen and skimmed the first page. Everything looked normal until I saw the words Puerto Vallarta.

“What?” I bit down on my tongue and read further. “Sexual relationship?”

A mug of coffee appeared in front of my face. “Here.”

I took the coffee, set it on the table, and crossed my arms. “Is this what I think it is?”

His calm demeanor was really starting to piss me off. I’d rather have him angry than silent. “It’s an NDA—one I would have given you in Mexico had—” He shrugged. “It’s something I missed, alright? I need you to sign it.”

Tears stung the back of my eyes as anger surged to the surface just a little bit faster than the sadness and embarrassment. “You’re a piece of work, you know that?”

He sighed and then put both of his hands on my shoulders like I was the one that needed to be calm. “Mackenzie, it’s to protect both of us, alright? What if a reporter asks you about me? If you sign something, you don’t have to say shit.” The asshole actually smiled like he’d just made it all better. And I wasn’t stupid! I didn’t have to say anything with or without the NDA.

“No.” I dropped the pen.

“No?” He ran a hand through his overgrown gorgeous hair. “What do you mean no?”

“I mean no. I won’t sign it. I wasn’t . . . I don’t need your money. I don’t need your fame. Trust me, the last thing I want is to be in the spotlight. I’m taking care of your houseplants, for crying out loud!”

“Do I even have houseplants?”

“That’s not the point!” My chest hurt. I jerked away from him and stood. “That’s . . . you’re making it . . . you’re making what happened between us . . . like a business deal gone wrong. You’re making it . . . so heartless.”

Slade wiped his face and sat back in the chair. “I’m protecting you.”

“No! You’re protecting you. Because you’re all you care about! This isn’t about me! This is all you. And you know the worst part? I missed you. I missed you so much, and when I found out you were gone I felt so used. You were so—”

“Don’t.”

“Tender,” I whispered. “You’re not even that person. It wasn’t even real, you know? It wasn’t . . .” I wrapped my arms around my stomach. “I’m going to go take Alfie for another walk.”

“Mackenzie.” He stood and grabbed me by the elbow. “I’m trying, can’t you see that? I’m doing the best I can!”