Page 26 of Memories of You

But then Renly walks up. My knight in shining armor.“Francesca?”

She smiles at him, that famous smile I’ve seen on so manyposters.

“Is there a problem?”

“None at all. Your friend was just telling me that you twoare going to Masque this evening.”

Renly looks at me, and I try to look completely nonchalant.Then he slides his hand along my back and, very slowly, says, “Yes. In fact,we’re heading there right now.”

ChapterEleven

“Masque,” he said, once Frannie was gone. He was trying toact casual, though the idea of having Abby with him in the club turned him onmore than he liked to admit. “Do you even know what that is?”

“Sure,” she said.

He narrowed his eyes. “Really?”

“Okay, I have a general sense. Damien took Nikki there once.After three drinks she gave me the scoop.”

“Interesting.”

She bit her lower lip. “I probably shouldn’t have spilledthat about your boss.”

He laughed. “That’s okay. I have a feeling Damien Stark canhandle people knowing that he went to a sex club with his wife.”

“You’ve been there,” she said, and he thought he heard anaccusation in her voice.

“I have.”

He watched her throat move when she swallowed, wishing he couldread her mind. He wanted her back there. Not for the hardcore stuff—that didn’tseem like Abby, though he wouldn’t turn down the chance to find out. No, he hada very specific fantasy.

He wanted her on one of the sofas in the main room. Hewanted to open his fly and settle her on his lap. He wanted her skirt splayedout over them as she rose and fell, fucking him while anyone in the room whowanted to watched.

He wanted it because he wanted her. Wanted to claim her. Toown her. Maybe not forever—definitely not forever—but for now. Fortonight. For this weekend.

Maybe forever…

He pushed aside the voice in his head. That voice that toldhim that would be a good thing. That he deserved that good thing. And that Abbydid, too.

Instead, he pulled her to a stop at the top of the stairs,just before the entrance to the club. He made the mistake of looking down, thenclosed his eyes in defense against that damn spinning.

“Do you ever plan on telling me?”

“What?”

“Vertigo. Was it a head injury? Is that why you left theSEALs?”

He drew a breath but looked at her. “Yes.”

He could see that she was waiting for more, but what morewas there? He’d told her. That should be enough. He didn’t need to lay it onthe ground for her; he’d already revealed that he wasn’t the man he’d heldhimself out to be.

But she didn’t say anything. Instead, she just took his handand led him to the far side of the landing so they were away from the view. Theworld realigned, and his pulse slowed.

They were standing in front of the door to Masque, but thatwasn’t the elephant in the room.

“I’m not your dad,” she finally said, lifting her shoulder.

He started to ask what she meant; started to pretend tomisunderstand. But he did understand. She’d seen through to the coreof him, just like she used to when they were kids. And she was telling him thatshe didn’t care about his flaws. That unlike his father, she wouldn’t give upon him.