Page 93 of A Ballad of Betrayal and Beauty

She left me behind knowing that I loved her more than anything.

CHAPTER23

Goodbye Stranger

DUSTY

“I’ve missed you so much, sweetheart. Come here. Baby will make you feel so much better.”

My eyes shoot open when my alarm goes off, the sky outside my window is pink and orange, the sun setting behind wispy purple clouds. I groan, dreading having to go to work, wishing I could just stay in bed. The subtle weight of an arm around my body anchors me, the breath against my neck comforting, and I sink a little deeper under the sheets. The warm sheets . . .

Oh god.

Joel stirs beside me, and I’m sick with guilt. After everything he’s said and done for me, I’m still dreaming of my faceless stranger?

I squeeze my eyes shut trying to erase the way Baby’s voice makes me feel. I focus on my feelings for Joel, and after a few minutes it works. Joel is the one for me—my infatuation with Baby is just that.Infatuation. And I need to be rid of it.

I roll over to face Joel, and I watch his face perfectly at peace before I disturb him.

“Joel?” I say. “Joel, wake up.”

He groans and squeezes me tighter.

“Joel,” I repeat with a laugh. “Come on, I have to get ready for work.”

“Take the day off,” he says against my skin.

“You know I can’t do that. I have bills to pay.”

He finally opens his eyes, focusing on my face. “I can help you with that. If you’re struggling to make ends meet, I can?—”

“Shhh,” I say, pressing my finger to his lips. “I’m not a damsel in distress, and while I don’t particularly love working, it’s life. I’m more than capable of surviving on my own.”

He nods. “I know. I know you are. All I’m saying is that if you ever need help?—”

“I don’t need your help!”

He freezes, his hands lifting off of me. Overcome with shame, I bite my lip.Don’t screw this up, Dusty. Get a hold of yourself.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I don’t . . . I just mean that I can take care of myself.”

I close my eyes and turn away, waiting for him to stand, get dressed, and leave—never to darken my doorway again. But he gently caresses my neck, presses a kiss there.

“I know you can,” he whispers against my skin. “I shouldn’t have suggested it. I just didn’t want to let you go.”

I look up, and our eyes meet over my bare, freckled shoulder. “I know,” I whisper. “I’m sorry.”

He shakes his head. “Don’t be. You have nothing to be sorry for.”

We smile at each other, and with a kiss to my nose, he sits up in bed and stands to locate his clothes from this morning. I watch him dress, my eyes glued to his gorgeous, toned body. I pull on a satin robe from a nearby chair and drink a glass of water as he gathers up his things to leave.

“When can I see you next?” he asks as I meet him at my door.

I shrug. “How soon do you want to?”

“Tomorrow?”

I grin. “How about I call you when I know when I’m working next. I’d hate for our time to get cut short again.”

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