"As are you."
"What did I do?" He stares at me. "I was trying to help you."
"You were trying to help me?"
"You know I was."
"How? By forgetting to mention to me that you knew Edward? By acting all solicitous when you were probably laughing at how broken down I am?"
"I didn’t laugh at you, and you know that."
"Why would you agree to what Edward asked of you anyway? Why would any man agree to keep an eye on the woman his friend shagged? Unless—" I lower my hands to my sides, "Oh, I see."
"What?" He scowls. "What does that mean?"
"I understand now why you are doing this."
"Do you?" His expression grows wary.
"Of course, I do." I allow a smile to curve my lips. "You probably figured; you’d get me to trust you. You’d worm your way into my affections, so I’d spread my legs for you."
"Stop that," he growls.
"Why? Isn’t that the truth?" I grip my breasts and squeeze. "Don’t tell me you didn’t think of it."
"I…" He wets his lips. His gaze drops down to where I am massaging my breasts. His chest rises and falls.
"Don’t tell me that you didn’t see me and think that you wanted some of it. That it didn’t cross your mind to fuck me as well."
"I… I." His throat moves as he swallows. Then he firms his lips.
"What? Not so cocky now, huh? Why are you silent? Why can’t you tell me what you were thinking of all along?" I shrug out of my jacket, let it drop to the floor. Then slide my hand down my stomach to the apex of my thighs. "Bet you saw me and wanted to get inside my pants. Bet you saw me and thought I would be an easy conquest, that you could shag me anytime you wanted and I wouldn't deny you."
He closes the distance between us, places a finger across my lips. "Shh," he murmurs, "don’t do this."
"Why not?" I lean away and he drops his hand to his side. "It’s true, isn’t it?" I ask. "Tell me you didn’t think of screwing me when you saw me."
"I did."
I blink. Heat courses through my veins. My core trembles. Even as something hot stabs at my ribcage. I fist my fingers at my sides, tip my chin up. "Well then, there’s nothing more to say, is there?"
I bend to pick up my jacket, but he’s already there. He straightens, holding it out for me. "That still doesn’t negate the fact that I was there to take care of you. To ensure that you didn’t do something you would regret later."
"What, like kill myself?" I mutter.
When he doesn’t reply, I stare up into his features. "Shit," I swear. "That’s what he was afraid of? He was worried that I’d be so heartbroken that I’d put an end to my life? Why, the ego of that man." I draw myself up to my full height. "As you can see, I am fine and coping well enough without him. Or you, for that matter. You’ve done your job, so you can leave now."
He simply jerks his chin toward the jacket.
I glance at it, then back up at him. "What are you still doing here? I told you, you can go."
He doesn’t react. His stance indicates he’d be happy to simply stay there until I do as he asks.
I blow out a breath, turn and slide my arms through the sleeves of the jacket. He smooths it over my shoulders, and the heat of his big palms radiates through the material and into my skin. A shiver slides up my spine. He steps back, picks up my bag and hands it to me. Then he walks to the door and holds it open for me. I walk over to him, reach for the light switch, but once more, he beats me to it.
He switches off the light in the dressing room and I step through and into the studio. I walk through to the main exit. He follows me, flicking off the lights before he reaches me. I scowl at him. He simply arches an eyebrow. He holds the door open again and I step through into the corridor. I walk out, lock the door behind me, when the light in the corridor flickers and goes out.
"Damn it," I grumble, "I should have gotten that fixed."
