Page 77 of Daddy's Laws

That was the coward’s way out, though, and if there was one thing she refused to be, it was a coward.

So she took a deep breath and got out of the car. Bryant’s eyes never left her as she made her way up the walkway to the bottom of the stairs. He didn’t stand, and she wondered if it was his small way of giving her the upper hand.

“Hey, princess.”

A lump formed in her throat, and she was horrified to feel tears burning the corners of her eyes. “I’m not your princess, Monroe.”

“All right.” Despite the laid-back tone, she had a feeling he wouldn’t be giving up so easily. “We need to talk.”

“And if I don’t want to talk to you right now?”

“Then I’ll just sit here until you’re ready.”

It was ridiculous, but she wouldn’t put it past him. “Then we might as well get it over with. Come on.”

With a grace belying his height, he rose to his feet and followed her inside. Tossing her purse and keys on her dining room table, she turned to face him with her arms crossed over her chest.

“All right. Talk.”

“I’m sorry.” The apology came easily, but the grief in his eyes lent it a sincerity she hadn’t expected. “I was wrong to keep such a huge secret from you, and I’m sorry.”

“Did you decide it was wrong before or after I found you out?”

“I’d already made up my mind to tell you before we left the beach. I know that doesn’t make it better, but I swear I had planned to tell you.”

“You’re right. That doesn’t make it better. I deserved to know the second you made that decision, Bryant.” Her anger, which had settled during her talk with Liv and then with MaryAnn, came boiling to the surface once more. “How could you keep that from me, all while convincing me I could trust you? You knew I had trust issues, even before I told you why, and you still lied to me.”

“I know.”

“Then why?” She was yelling now, but she didn’t care. “Why didn’t you just tell me, Bryant?”

“I don’t know!” The words seemed to explode out of him and for the first time in her memory, Bryant Monroe looked… frazzled. “At first, it was just because I didn’t want to upset you and ruin your vacation. And then it was pure selfishness. I finally had you all to myself and you were just beginning to open up to me and I didn’t want to give you one more reason to tell me no.”

“Well. At least you’re being honest now.” She hardened her heart against the plea in his eyes. “I think you should go.”

But he didn’t turn to leave. Instead, he crossed the distance between them, cupping her face in his hands. “Tell me what I can do to make this right, and I’ll do it. Please, baby. I love you.”

“You can go.”

Even to her own ears the words sounded cold. Final.

He must have heard it as well, because his hands fell from her face and he took a step back. When he spoke again, his voice was hollow. “All right. But I’m not done fighting for us, princess. I love you, and I promise you I will find some way to make this right.”

Not trusting herself to speak, she simply stared at him until he swore under his breath and stormed out of the house. And for the second time in two days, she wept for the love she’d lost.

CHAPTER27

Two Months Later

Sittingin the driveway of the ridiculously opulent home she’d been invited to, Shannon wondered for the millionth time if she was making a mistake in coming tonight.

When the couple who ran the play parties she’d previously frequented had called her about buying a new home, she’d been excited on a purely professional level. Especially given their budget. The sprawling mansion and the accompanying acreage had granted her a nice fat commission check.

But the payout had come with its own cost. In talking to them, she’d realized how much she missed not just the physical release of a good play session, but the camaraderie. With all three Monroes all but out of the picture, she’d felt lonelier than ever these past few weeks.

So when the invite for a play party disguised as a housewarming party had arrived, she’d jumped on the chance to connect with like-minded people again. Now, sitting in her car and staring up at the welcoming, brightly lit home, all she could think was how she wished Bryant was here with her.

Even all these weeks later, she still ached with missing him. Experience told her it should have faded by now, at least somewhat, but she still woke up wishing he was there to hold her, and more often than not, she still cried herself to sleep.

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