Page 93 of Sapphire

“Honestly?” I ask him, and he nods and pushes me on. “You are a very handsome guy, but no, I don’t want to.”

He looks confused. “Then why are you here?”

What the hell am I supposed to say to that?

His elbow nudges me. “Just so you know, I’m great at keeping secrets.”

I’m unsure whether I should trust him or not, so I stay silent.

“I do not like what my father does. I hate it and I never ever want to be like him,” Reece confesses, which shocks me. “But he has threatened to harm my mother if I don’t start learning his ways, and he will. What choice do I have?”

I can feel his pain. I pull him into my arms. He tenses but takes the embrace.

“I don’t want to be here, but I have no choice. My loved ones will be hurt.”

Reece pulls away from me. “I’m sorry. Can I help you?”

I go still. He wants to help me.

“Shit,” Reece curses.

I follow his line of sight and see the man by Gracie’s side staring at us. I can see the resemblance; he is very good-looking for an older man.

“Is that your father?”

Reece just nods.

“Okay, well let’s put on a show then.” My fingers find his chin, lifting it so he looks at me. I can see the mild panic in his eyes. “I am going to make it look like we are kissing …” He tenses. “No, no. We won’t, I promise. I’m going to kiss the side of your mouth, but we need to angle our heads so from his distance it looks like we are.”

He lets out a sigh of relief.

“Then we will go back to your room, and your dad will assume you and I will … you know …”

Reece’s eyes light up at my idea. “Thank you,” he whispers.

I feel for him, I really do. He seems like a good guy, and this is a horrible situation.

“Okay, I’m going to kiss you now.” We lean into each other, and I wrap my hand around his neck and hold him in place.

His hands rest on either side of me and we stay like that for a couple of moments until we break away. His cheeks are flushed as if he really has been kissing me.

I place my hand in his and get up, pulling him through the room, past his father, and out the main door.

One of the guards escorts us down the long corridor and into a lavish bedroom, then closes the door.

We quickly lock it, relaxing as soon as it is shut.

“Would you like a drink?” I ask, heading toward the minibar. I take out two tumblers, fill them with vodka, and hand one to Reece.

He takes it willingly and knocks it back quickly.

“Want another?” I ask, and he nods. I give him mine, and he knocks that back. His cheeks are bright pink. I think the vodka is working. So, I pour him another glass, and he throws that back also. “Are you okay?”

He nods. “I just want to forget what I have seen today.”

I can see the pain etched on his face. “Do you want to talk about it? I mean, we have all night, remember you’re a young stallion.” I try to make light of the situation.

“No, it’s okay, it’s not like you can change anything.”

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