Page 79 of Secrets

"And you're really over Daphne?"

"There's nothing to get over, really. Besides embarrassment. We were never in love, and I don't know that we really liked each other all that much."

"I can't take losing someone else in the club, Nelson, so I need to make sure you're certain. If this doesn't work, I don't just lose someone who is really good in bed but someone I consider a friend."

Reaching up, he cups her face and kisses her nose. "Losing you would be the biggest loss of my life, Sutton."

Her lips find his, and she lets him lift her by the hips up onto the counter. Her frantic need tells him she enjoyed last night as much as he did, and he wants to make sure she knows he wants her. All of her.

"Last night was amazing, Nelson," Sutton says as his hands slide under her shirt to cup her chest, his fingers rolling her nipples. "Hands down the best I've ever had."

"Wait until you see what I can do sober."

"As long as you do that thing with your hips. You were so right. It drives me wild."

He chuckles, remembering their first real conversation at the bar. "I'll do it until you beg for mercy, baby," he mutters against her neck before picking her up and carrying her to the bedroom.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Summerville

Max

Daphne's text simply saidI need you.

Without context, Max has no idea if she meant emotionally or physically. He hopes physically, but he wants to make sure she knows he's here for anything she needs in general. He'll do anything he needs to for this girl.

The two of them spend more time naked and wrapped up in each other than not, and the rest of their time is spent covering up his tattoo. She finished it last week, and it looks amazing. How she pulled off the change as seamlessly as possible is seriously impressive.

Daphne sits on the steps of the shop, and he knows immediately what she needs isn't sexual. Not yet, anyway.

"Daph, what's wrong?"

"You got here fast," Daphne says, her wet eyes looking up at him.

Her makeup runs down her cheeks, and he wants to murder Nick. He knows it has to do with him. "When you say you need me, I'm going to get to you as quickly as possible. What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"I've officially lost," she mutters, more tears streaming down her face as he sits on the step next to her.

"Lost what?"

"The shop."

His stomach drops.Damn it. He wraps his arm around her shoulders, letting her head rest on his. "What happened?"

"Nick talked to the investors, and he has a buyer. They've all but signed the contract to sell."

"Do you know who's buying it?"

Her body trembles as her sobs take over, her face turning into his white T-shirt. He knows he'll never get her makeup out of it, but he doesn't care. "Some chain parlor that will make us cookie cutter artists. We'll be restricted in what we can book and how long. We won't get to choose our rates, and we'll make the same amount regardless of skill and experience. No specialties."

"Baby, I'm sorry."

"The investors think it'll be the best option because they're not seeing a profit, but I don't know how that's possible with the stupid shop fees Nick charges us. We're barely making ends meet when it's all said and done, and we're losing customers because of him. But he's bringing in more money than we are, I know that much for sure. How are they not seeing the profit?"

Something tells Max that Nick works his own set of books than the ones the investors see. "I'll lend you the money."

Pulling back, Daphne shakes her head. "What?"

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