Page 116 of The Demon's Fire
Skyler chuckled, and Anthony walked away with their order.
“Really, Skyler, what was all that about? And a kiss on the hand. How phony.”
She rubbed her hand as her lips spread into a slow smile. “I think it was very Italian. Quite charming.”
“Back to your trip. It gave me some time to think. I know you told me before you left you wanted to end our engagement. I don’t think that’s wise.”
Skyler’s eyes widened as he droned on about wedding plans and family expectations.
Winston would have been my future.
A man her father had admired and thrown at her. A lifetime of polite conversation over dinners at expensive restaurants. The golden couple. The respected surgeon and the corporate lawyer.
What could be better? A brutish demon with fire-gold eyes.
“A reception at the Peninsula would be appropriate, which means we need to set the date and get working on it. My mother will help with the details. Big galas are her specialty. She…”
“Winston, I didn’t say I wanted to break off our engagement. I broke it off.”
“I don’t understand. Why?”
Skyler had tried a gentler approach, but it hadn’t worked with Winston. She drew a deep breath. “I don’t love you.”
“Perhaps you can’t do June. But June is the best time to…”
“Did you hear me at all?”
Winston’s mouth slammed shut as he stared at her.
“If you’re honest with yourself, you don’t love me either.”
“We are perfect for each other, Skyler. Ask our friends.”
“We have no friends. We have business associates who join us for dinner on occasion. In fact, we have no time for friends. We are both so focused on our careers.”
“This is about friends? We can acquire friends.”
“This is not about friends, Winston. It’s about us. You are devoted to your job. I am, too. I know what that type of devotion means. It means there is little room for anything or anyone else in our lives.”
“Nonsense. I want you in my life. I’ll be devoted to you. I’ll give you whatever you want.”
“How about a burning romance? Can you give me that?”
Winston’s eyes narrowed, his confusion evident.
“I’m honestly not blaming you, Winston. I’ve changed. I want…” What did she want? She wanted her breath to catch whenever her lover walked into the room. She wanted fire to dance through her when they made love. She wanted Kole.
“Romance is fleeting, Skyler. You need someone who is steady.”
“I thought so, too. Turns out it’s not true. Anyway, we are not marrying, but you will always have my respect and my friendship.”
“You mean to tell me I’ve wasted all this time on you? You need me. We are the perfect couple.”
“I’m not looking for perfect, Winston.”
He reached across the table, grabbing Skyler’s hand, squeezing it until she winced. “Your father told me you would be my wife.”
“He had no right. Let go of my hand. You’re hurting me. I think I should leave.”
