Page 28 of Save Me
“And when have you ever been concerned about that?” she says, echoing my thoughts. “You certainly didn’t that day at the old Wolf cabin.”
I didn’t care about a lot of things during my time in Wolf Cove, and that day will go down in history as one of the most unexpected fucks of my life. “I know who will care. Your boss.”
“Right.” She leans back, holding herself up with outstretched arms. “Should we ask him for his blessing? Sure, maybe after he’s done fucking his former assistant who’s now his wife.”
Touché. Though Henry is a fan of playing the “do as I say, not as I do” card.
“Didn’t you say this would never happen again?” I’m grasping for straws, but reminding her of her deep regrets the last time her hormones got past her level head seems like a good idea.
“I didn’t think it would either, and yet here we are.” Something soft flickers across Belinda’s normally stony face. “In case you haven’t noticed, I work a lot. I don’t have time for relationships. But I do have needs. And so do you.” Steady eyes bore into mine. “So why don’t we just fuck and get it out of our system.”
Hell, she’s throwing back my words from yesterday.
Belinda uncrosses her legs again, this time leaving them parted.
Fuck me. How do I find myself in these situations? Honestly, this is probably karma coming around to bite me in the ass for all the women I haven’t called back, even though I was always clear that I wouldn’t.
If I were the old Ronan, I’d already have my fly undone and Belinda’s skirt hiked up around her waist. But I’m not that guy. I don’t want meaningless. Not anymore. There is only one woman I want.
And it’s not the one laid out like a buffet treat in front of me now.
Acknowledging that nearly brings a smile to my face—I’ve evolved!—but I stifle it because that reaction at this particular moment might get my balls ripped off.
I need to get out of here, pronto. “Belinda, don’t get me wrong, I think you are smoking hot.” I settle my hands on her bare knees and gently pull her legs together. “But we should keep this professional.” I stand as a wave of déjà vu hits me. I said the same thing to Sloane weeks ago.
That was a lie then.
But it’s not now.
A stunned look passes across Belinda’s face—has she ever been turned down before?—before she seems to snap out of it. “Yes, of course. I don’t know what I was thinking. This was completely out of line. I understand if you’d like to report me to HR for?—”
“Shut up.” I can’t help but laugh. “I’m not reporting anyone for anything.” I’d have to pull out my ownlaundry list of scandalous behavior. It’s a mile long and would get me fired a hundred times over.
She clears her throat as she quickly retrieves her glasses. “Okay, then.”
I try to soften the blow to her ego. “If this were any other time in my life, I would be all in. Again.” Hell, if this were even a few weeks ago, before I met Sloane. I’d regret it after, but I know I wouldn’t turn her down. I’m not Superman.
She purses her lips, her eyes flittering up to meet mine. “Let me know if you change your mind.”
“I will.” But I won’t. Not while Sloane’s in the picture.
“I’ll see you at dinner tonight.” Clearing her throat, she hops off the table and struts away at a clipped speed, unlocking the door on her way out.
And I breathe a shaky sigh of relief.
“You said no?”Connor stares at me like I just admitted to ripping up a winning lottery ticket.
“Dude.” I push my office door shut. “She Basic Instincted me.”
His jaw drops. “No fucking way.”
“Way. Like, fully.”
“What does that mean?” a voice chirps out of nowhere.
I spin around to find Archie sitting in one of my chairs. “Where the fuck were you hiding!”
“I wasn’t … I was right here, waiting. For our meeting,” he stammers.
