Unexpected Eva (Triple Trouble #3)(39)

I can’t stop my bullet train of words. “I did things with you, in your bed this past weekend, that I have never done with anyone, ever. You took me back to your house. You shared a part of you with me. And I shared things with you about my life I have never shared with anyone. Not even my sisters.”

I pace back and forth. “And then you organize a new lawyer for me that is way out of my price range, but you’ve covered it all. For me. Because you’re worried about my ongoing safety. If I told you what Ewan did to me last night, you wouldn’t want to be paying for any of it. Because he’s a prize prick. I’m not sure who I am anymore or what my life has become. It feels like such a mess.” I continue to stomp back and forth, and my heart picks up pace. “Did you know I’ve to go to the police station after I leave here and file a police report? A police report. Against my husband. Well, ex-husband. For harassment.” I shake my head furiously as I push my hands through my hair I took ages straightening earlier.

“Then there’s you. You reminded me of who I am again. I felt happy. You made me feel sexy. I had the best weekend of my life. And for two utterly hotter than the devil days I spent with you, I felt special. You made me believe I was worth more than the way I have been treated in the last year. But you are so confusing. You want me? But you don’t now? Was it really just for this weekend? Because it sure felt like you wanted more.” I finally look at him. I hadn’t noticed him moving, but he’s now standing on the other side of his desk, his hands clenched by his sides.

“That’s what you wanted, Eva. What we agreed.”

“Did we though?” Running my hand over my tight brow, I’m confused.

“Eva, as you stood in my driveway, you put your hands up to stop me from touching you. You had your sister pick you up over a mile away from my house. You set the boundaries.” His voice is harsh and raw.

He’s right. I did.

I lower my defenses. “But you didn’t have to cancel our dance lessons. I thought you were still keen. Do you not want to spend time with me?”

I sound desperate.

“You’re the one that pushed me away. You and I both know Lincoln likes you. I’m your father’s friend. But I asked you by the pool if we needed rules and you didn’t answer me. I told you I like you, that I want you.” His eyes fill with pain. “I liked having you in my house on the weekend. Watching you cook in my kitchen, swimming in my pool, watching television with me, wearing my shirts. Talking about cars. I loved it all. I’ve never felt so complete.” He tugs the back of his neck. “For fuck’s sake, Eva, forget I said all that.” His voice dies away as he turns away from me to look out the window at the ocean waves below.

He loved it all.

Complete.

My heart swoons. “Do you want to see me again?” I ask hopefully.

“Forget it. It doesn’t matter. Just go.” With his back still to me, he pushes his hands into the pockets of his dress pants.

“Of course it matters if it’s what you want.”

In business, he’s ruthless. He gets what he wants. But he’s protecting himself and his heart.

All that therapy he paid for was a waste of money. I’ve figured him out in a few days.

He looks back over his shoulder. “And what about you? What do you want? You’re not even divorced yet. You have two young sons. There’s your dad, Lincoln. You were adamant we were simply a two-night thing. You should be with someone the same age as you. Less complicated.” His shoulders drop in defeat.

He’s oblivious to how much I want him. Maybe I didn’t realize how much either until right this very minute.

Who am I kidding?

I’ve wanted Knox since, oh, now I’m not so sure. For as long as I’ve been available. Maybe sooner. Because Ewan stopped paying me any kind of attention long before our breakup.

I’ve always felt this magical and appealing pull to Knox. He sucks all the air out of my lungs into his. He consumes me.

He’s always there. On the fringes.

Entrancing me.

Changing my tone, I confess, “I’m not interested in anyone else. ’Cause you see, I’ve liked this one guy for a while now. Longer than I’ve allowed myself to admit.”

Knox slowly turns back around, then leans against his desk. I’ve got his attention.

“He’s super smart. Handsome. Phenomenal in the bedroom.”

His eyebrows hitch upward in surprise.

“He’s funnier than he realizes. He has a hard shell but a beautiful soft heart. He’s kind. He’s always watching me. I know he’s liked me for a while too because I feel it as well as this indescribable connection to him this past weekend that I have never felt with anyone else before.” I wiggle my way toward him.

He removes his hands from his pockets, then clenches the edge of his desk.

“It’s thrown me for a loop. Perplexing. Complicated. But oh, so beautiful and thrilling.”

Continuing my slow pace, he spreads his legs wide, welcoming me.

“He showed me a side of him no one else gets to see. He’s pretty wonderful. He also has a secret smile meant only for me.”

My confidence grows with every beat of my heart. “And then he has a freaking ace car collection that I just happen to like. He does too. But I know he likes me more because he even offered to take me out in the rain in his ten-million-pound car.”