Page 122 of Fragile Sanctuary

My eyes flared. I wasn’t sure Davis hadeverapologized to me for anything. Even for being a dick of epic proportions.

“I was upset after Trace paid me that visit. My reputation is very important to me. But I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. I’m sorry.”

I knew how much it likely took for Davis to actually admit to overreacting. “Thank you. I appreciate it. Water under the bridge.”

It eased something in me to have us on better terms. Because in a town this small, Davis and I would always run into each other.

He smiled then, a flash of white against his perfect complexion. “Good. I’ve been worried about you. I heard about the accident.”

“I’m okay, really. My SUV is toast, but a replacement’s being delivered tomorrow morning.” Thankfully, the insurance was covering the lion’s share of that.

Davis’s mouth thinned as his gaze skated over my forehead. “That’s going to scar.”

I shrugged. “Not the end of the world.”

“Why don’t you come stay with me for a while? It’d be safer than you staying here all alone.”

Well, crap.

It didn’t surprise me that word hadn’t gotten around about Anson and me because we weren’t actually spending time togetherin public places—not with everything going on. I didn’t want to give Davis false hope, but I didn’t want to hurt him either.

“I actually haven’t been staying alone. My boyfriend’s been staying with me.” Calling Anson my boyfriend felt ridiculous, but I wasn’t sure what other term to use.

Davis stilled, a flush creeping up his neck. “Boyfriend?”

I swallowed hard. “Yeah. We’ve been seeing each other for a few weeks now.”

“Who?” Davis demanded.

I did my best not to wince, but a flicker of the movement slipped free. “Anson. You met him the last time you were here.”

“The interfering prick?” Davis snapped.

“Don’t,” I shot back. “He’s a good guy, and we aren’t doing anything wrong. You and I haven’t been seeing each other for over a month now.”

Davis’s chest rose and fell in quick, angry pants. “We were in a relationship, and you jump into bed with the first moron behemoth to crook his finger at you? I should’ve known you were nothing but a cheap slut.”

I reeled back as if he’d struck me.

“What. Did. You. Just. Call. Her?” Anson growled.

Davis whirled on him, his face paling. “I called her what she clearly is.”

Anson prowled toward him, his panther-like grace in full effect. “I warned you to stay clear of her. And now you show back up and insult her at her own home? I don’t think you’re learning,Davy.”

“M-my name is Davis.”

“No. Davis is a man’s name. But you aren’t a man, are you?” Anson challenged.

Davis straightened his shoulders. “You don’t know me.”

Anson grinned, but it had a slightly terrifying bent. “But I do, Davy. I know you didn’t leave your job in Silicon Valley because you were swimming in cash. You got fired.”

My eyes widened. Davis had told me and everyone else whowould listen that his stock options had meant he could take a ridiculously early retirement.

“Fired because you were harassing a woman at your company,” Anson pressed.

Davis’s face had gone fire-engine red. “She was a liar. She was just mad that I rejected her.”

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