Page 90 of Wilde Abandon
He stopped and held up both hands, knowing he was so very wrong and needed to make this right.“Amy caught me in the lobby.She told me about her conversation with Josh that morning he came to our apartment to check on you.”
“You meanyourapartment.”
“It’sourplace.”
She shook her head.
He’d really fucked this up.Shit!
She swiped away another tear.“Sure.Right.Josh couldn’t help but point out that it’s way more upscale than I’m used to and that must be why I liked staying with you.Josh got in his dig, implying that I was only with you because of your wealth and success and nothing else.I guess you believed I’m that shallow.”
“No.Not for a second.”
“Then what happened?Did Tanya put his crap in your head?Or has Amy finally flirted her way into your heart.”
“No.The only woman I want is you.”
“Really?Because you lost me when you accused me of using you for your money.”She raked her hair away from her face and over her shoulder.“I’m not stupid, Fox.You own your own company.You make a lot of money.Enough to start charitable foundations in two states, buy two apartment buildings here, and renovate them for yourself and those working and attending classes at the center you also own.You’re also taking care of your mom and buying her all kinds of stuff for her place.”
She swiped away another tear.“It’s your business how you spend your money.I thought what you did to help those less fortunate and in need of support was damn admirable.It showed you had a heart and cared about others.I mean, after the way your own mother treated you, you’re still willing to give her a chance.
“But not me.Someone says some shit to you and you forget everything we’ve shared.You think all I’ve been doing is manipulating you in some way so that I can…what?Take your money.I’ve never asked you for a damn thing.I liked you and wanted to be with you before I ever met you in person or knew you were successful.
“But I guess I don’t measure up because I don’t have the financial resources you have.I don’t have the poise and polish Amy seems to think she has to run in your circles.So why don’t you just go be with her or find someone rich, because that’s what matters.”
“The only thing that matters to me isyou.”
“Sounds to me like you came here to defend your bank account.”
“Damnit, Dee, I fucked up, okay?I didn’t think it all the way through.”
“No.You just accused me and condemned me because you don’t trust anyone to be what they show you to be.”
Exactly.Because who could you trust when your own parents mistreated you, abandoned you, and the very people who took you into their homes after that were more interested in the government check than actually taking care of you?Even the other foster kids were only out for themselves.They’d throw you under that bus to stay out of trouble, get a treat, or just so they looked better than you, so they wouldn’t be moved again.
Fuck, he had trust issues.Big ones.And he was letting past fears and experiences ruin things with Melody.
Shit.
“I just want the truth.”
“I’ve given you nothing but the truth.And if you can’t see that, then get out.”The tears spilled over and down her cheeks and she quickly dashed them away with her fingertips.“We’re done.Get out!”
Those words smashed into his chest like a sledgehammer, pummeling his heart.“No, Mel, no.I’m sorry.I know you’re not lying to me.”
She sucked in a shuddering breath.“I have been more myself with you than I am with anyone else.I’ve opened up to you about my past and what I want in the future.I have never lied to you by word or deed.So let me make this very clear.Fuck Amy.Maybe you should look at her motives for stirring up trouble between us.As for Josh…he’s not a friend, or even really an ex.We haven’t shared any meaningful conversations.We aren’t drinking buddies or fuck buddies.In fact, I don’t like him, especially because of the way he treated me, and the company he keeps, and the leering looks he gives me and other women.He’s just a guy I know but never think about.Clear enough for you?”
“Yes.”
She picked up a piece of leather and tossed it in the trash.“Now if you’ll excuse me, my family is probably waiting for me for dinner.”
He caught a glimpse of a silver latch on the end of the leather she’d tossed.He reached down and pulled it from the trash.
“Leave it.”She tried to take it from him, but he held it out of her reach and looked at it himself.
The craftsmanship was amazing.“Did you make this?”
“Yes.Give it back.”She held out her hand.