Page 5 of Forever By Morning

A bus—because it was exactly what she wanted for her business. That he knew it was what would make her happy. From the sound of her laughter and the echo of delight in the people clamoring for a drink, I’d say it was a success.

I gave my hostess smile to someone I recognized from Clay’s company, but my focus was on Reid and Maple. Their voices became more distinct the closer I got.

“I can’t believe you’d show your face here.” Maple’s voice rose. “After you left me without a word in Paris.”

Dear God, he didn’t. Tears pricked at my eyes.

They stood nearly chest to chest. Reid’s eyes were hot in a way I’d never seen before. He always seemed to exist behind a veil of indifference. Sometimes it bordered on malice before the mask slipped back into place. Right now, there was no mask, proving I didn’t know a thing about him.

Just like the rest of the people in the circles we ran in, I was in the dark as to who Reid Pierce was. ButMapleknew.

From the way her breasts pressed into him, there was little doubt about the intimacy between them.

I wasn’t stupid. I knew Reid’s reputation, but to have it so in my face like this drove my anger past the hurt.

“Reid.” My voice was sharp and a little shaky. Goddamn tears always came with the anger, no matter how much I tried to control it.

He didn’t even look at me. His eyes were locked with Maple’s. “Didn’t give you the chance to leave me first that time, did I?”

Not the first time? What was going on?

I backed up a step and bumped into someone. They glanced from me to Reid and Maple and the pity nearly took me out at the knees.

“No. It wasn’t a game.” Maple’s voice was acid.

“It’s always been a game. It’s all you know. I was tired of being one of many.”

Maple’s eyes widened.

Reid slipped his hand into his pocket, his face back to the emotionless mask. “I see you aren’t denying it.”

“That’s what you think?”

“What I know. This time, the digital proof wasn’t part of our games.”

I looked around and there were more people watching. Embarrassment overrode the hurt. I just needed to get away from them. I didn’t want to know what kind of games they’d been playing. It didn’t even matter when it was. Before me, after me, during—I didn’t know.

It wasn’t like I had a hold on him.

As usual, I’d never been held close. Just taken off the shelf to be played with.

From my periphery, I noticed the crowd of people starting to part. Distantly, I heard Willow’s voice and then Ransom’s wide shoulders plowed through the gawkers.

“Maple?” Ransom’s voice lifted.

“Ransom. This isn’t about you.” Maple stabbed her finger into Reid’s chest. “You’re a fucking rude bastard.”

“You enjoyed my rudeness for that long weekend, didn’t you?”

I pushed through the crowd intent on one thing—freedom.

I broke out of the crush of people. The raised voices were red with anger, vibrating with rage and past hurts flowing over new ones. It was as if one big wave of emotion surrounded me. All I could do was run from it.

I’d come with Reid. It wasn’t like Manhattan where I could just call a car service and go back home.

Go home to what?

Another embarrassment?