Dread washed over me as I eased back the covers and got out of bed. I quickly wiped the tears from my face and forced myself into the kitchen. I stood there for a moment, just staring at the door.
I knew Dalton was on the other side.
I could feel it.
After inhaling a deep breath, I walked over and unlocked the deadbolt, then eased open the door—just enough to see his face. “You didn’t have to come here.”
“The hell you say. There’s no way I wouldn’t come.” He stepped forward, forcing me to fully open the door. “Why the hell did you leave without telling me?”
“I saw you talking to Sadie.”
“Okay. So, you saw me talking to her.” He used the heel of his boot to close the door, then stepped over to me. “That doesn’t answer my fucking question.”
“I told you that you needed to go see her when you got out.”
“Yeah, and?”
“It’s clear by the way you two were talking that there are things left unsaid between you two ... at least, they were up until tonight.”
“You wanna tell me what you’re gettin’ at ’cause I still don’t understand why you left me at that fuckin’ mall?”
“I left you there because it seemed like the right thing to do.” I felt like my throat was closing as I forced myself to say, “It’s okay, Dalton. I understand if you want to be with her.”
“Be with her?” His eyes grew fierce as he clenched his jaw and let an aggravated breath slip through his pursed lips. He cocked his head to the side, trying to rein in whatever emotions he was feeling, which, if I had to guess, was outright anger. “What the fuck makes you think I wanna be with her?”
“It would make sense, Dalton. The two of you have history together. You loved her and wanted a family with her. You said that yourself, and you might still be together if—”
“If I hadn’t landed myself in prison.”
“Yes, exactly. And you didn’t talk to her when you got out. You avoided her altogether, so you never got closure. Maybe there’s a reason for that.”
“You gotta be kidding me.” He then rolled his head, popping the vertebrae in his neck, before letting out a frustrated growl. “You might just be the most infuriating woman I’ve ever met.”
“I don’t understand why you’re mad, Dalton. I’m trying to make this easy for you.”
“Easy? What about this is easy?”
“I’m letting you off the hook.”
“You’re what?”
“You heard me, Dalton. We don’t have to do this.” I got that he was mad, but I wanted to make sure he was mad for the right reason. “It’s okay. You have every right to see if there’s anything left between you and her, and I don’t want to be the one who keeps you from doing so.”
“Yeah, you’re without a doubt the most frustrating woman I’ve ever met. I don’t know how you cooked up this shit in your head, but you are wrong about Sadie.” He took another step towards me and slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer. “I don’t want ‘off the hook.’ I don’t want or need fucking closure or any of that psychological bullshit with Sadie either.”
“But—”
“But nothing.” His eyes bored into mine as he whispered, “Don’t you get it? All I need is you. Nothing else.”
FIVE
JAGGER
Sophie was right. Sadie and I did have history. I had loved her and had once thought we’d have a future together, but I wasn’t the same man I was back then. I hated that I’d hurt Sadie, but I didn’t regret breaking things off with her. It was the right thing to do, and ultimately, I’d moved on. I didn’t know how to be any clearer, but I could tell by the look in Sophie’s eyes she was still having doubts. I reached for the nape of her neck, threading my fingers through her silky strands as I dropped my mouth to hers.
She let out a slight moan, then wrapped her arms around my neck, pressing her breasts against my chest. While my hands roamed down her back and over the curves of her ass, I thought how unbelievably perfect Sophie felt in my arms. Knowing our conversation wasn’t over, I pulled back, but the second I looked down at her lust-filled eyes, I couldn’t stop myself from leaning in for another kiss. She parted her lips, and I delved deeper, savoring her soft caress and quickened breath.
I was lost, unable to control the storm of desire brewing deep inside me and couldn’t stand it a minute longer. I leaned down and picked her up, then threw her over my shoulder.
“Dalton!” she shrieked as we started to the bedroom. “What are you doing?”
“I’m showing you that I don’t need any fucking closure.”
“I got it! I got it!”