Page 20 of Our Little Secret
“Like hell.”
“I’m going to make it work with Neal, if I can.”
“You’re not in love with him,” he charged and she noticed a muscle work in his jaw.
“That’s where you’re wrong.”
“That’s what you told me.”
“No,” she countered, remembering the conversation that had occurred on this very deck. “I told you I wasn’tinlove with him anymore and that’s true. But I still love him and I love my daughter. I want us to be a family. And maybe I’ll fall in love with him again.”
“Oh, sure. That’s the way it works,” he mocked. “And maybe he’ll show up on a white steed and whisk you off to his castle and you’ll live happily ever after.”
“Maybe,” she said, refusing to take the bait, refusing to get into a fight. “So that’s it. You wanted a face-to-face and you got it. It’s over, Gideon.”
“Jesus, Brooke.” His cocky smile faded as he finally realized she wasn’t playing games. “You can’t do that. Turn it off and on at will.”
“I told you, it’s been coming for a long time.”
“You were just here yesterday.” He jammed a finger downward, past the decking and toward the cabin below. “With me. In my bed.”
“It was a mistake.”
“It didn’t seem like a mistake to me. Not then, not all the other times.” Undaunted, he leaned back against the rail again. “You’re telling me it was a mistake when you wrapped your arms around me as I steered the boat. Remember that? Or when we drank champagne right over there?” He hitched his shoulder toward the stern. “Or when we took off in your damned Explorer—that SUV?” Motioning toward her vehicle, he ranted on, “We spent that weekend away in your grandmother’s cabin. Hell, we even took your damned dog with us. You’re telling me you don’t recall that?” He scoffed in disbelief. “What about that?” Anger cut through his words, the muscle in his jaw working overtime. “And how about all the times you were in my bed? Begging me to fuck you? Remember those?”
She did. Vividly. Even the dirty talk in the throes of passion. She remembered the feel of his fingers running down the length of her spine, the desire that always burned when she was around him, the heat that dissipated quickly as her guilt took over and she came to her senses.
“Well, maybe it wasn’t your mistake,” she said. “But it was mine. I’m the one who’s married, the one who has a daughter. We both agreed when this started that either one of us could call it off at any time. And that’s what I’m doing.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” She noticed the cords visibly pulsing in his neck. Didn’t care.
“Wouldn’t I?” Tension seemed to crackle in the air.
His eyes narrowed. “I can make your life a living hell, you know.”
“And you’d do that?” She lifted up her chin, goading him. “Because that’s how much you ‘love’ me?”
His lips flattened. “I just want us to be together. We belong together.”
“No, Gideon. We don’t. And don’t make the mistake of threatening me. It won’t work.” She held her ground. “If I have to, I’ll come clean with Neal.”
“And your daughter?”
Her insides twisted. Oh dear God, Marilee would hate her forever. As bad as their relationship was now, it would only get worse. Much worse. She steeled herself and silently prayed he was bluffing. He was, wasn’t he? He wouldn’t dare try to ruin her life.
He prodded, “What would pretty little petulant Marilee say?”
He knew about her daughter’s attitude? It curdled her blood to hear her child’s name on his lips. She remembered the intense look he’d sent Marilee’s way on the porch last night. The flirtatious wink. Nausea roiled her stomach. “She would understand.”
“Oh, sure.” He laughed harshly. “You’re going to tell her how you’ve spent your afternoons and weekends away and the reason you’re always late to pick her up from school?” His skin was stretched tight over his features, his eyes dangerous.
“If I have to.” Her voice was surprisingly even, though her heart was galloping and every instinct told her to run. “So, now we’re clear,” she said, taking one step backward. “Don’t call or text me, okay? And for God’s sake, stay away from my family. Don’t show up on my doorstep again. Whatever we had, whatever this was, it’s over. Just let it go.”
She turned for the gangway.
He caught her wrist. “No.”
“What?” She tried to snatch back her hand, but he spun her around to face him. So close. Too close. His face was just inches from hers. She tried to yank away her arm, but his grip only tightened. “Let me go, Gideon.”
