Page 42 of Promise of Punishment

“I’ve embarrassed you.” I fight a wide grin, aware of how much I smile around her. Something I rarely do with friends and never with a woman I’m fucking or who I plan to fuck.

She glances at her platform shoes, looking like the sweet angel she is. “No one’s ever said anything like this to me. It’s sweet, and well, I’ve just never heard it.”

A guy should have told her this before. I would have killed him, but she should have heard it.

“How is that possible?” I tuck my hands in my pockets to keep from hauling her against me fiercely as if she were mine to shield from all the monsters in the world.

“I can’t answer without talking about other guys, not that there were many, as we’ve established.”

Bollocks. Now I need to know. “How many?” My jaw clamps, but she doesn’t notice, her focus still on her shoes.

“Two.” She pulls her long braid over her shoulder, which came loose from the bottom of the wig, and plays with the ends. “They weren’t boyfriends. I’ve never had a boyfriend.”

“Did you fuck these guys?” I snarl.

Her gaze shoots up, her lips parted with shock. She takes in my tense body and tight fists. The distrust in her eyes tells me all I need to know. I screwed up badly just now, showing her my anger.

“I don’t think we should do this anymore.” She backs away, her gaze on me. “It’s upsetting my boss.”

“I’m your boss,” I remind her, fighting my anger.

“My supervisor,” she corrects. “I’d really like to continue working here.” She keeps backing up, hugging the wall, her gaze locked on me.

And I’d really like to continue what we’re doing. Fuck. I shove my fists into my pockets and work to soften my lips that are pressed firmly together.

“Fable…” Her name comes out in a whisper and in my British accent. Dammit.

She raises her palm, seeming to miss my slip-up. “Please. I can’t afford for this not to work out.”

“Explain that. Please,” I add in a soft tone, the fake Scottish accent back in place.

She stops and glances at the door.

I stay where I am, not wanting to push her further away. “I want to help you.”

Her eyes narrow. “Why?”

You saved me. I owe you. I searched for you for years but gave up too soon. I want to know your secrets. I need to touch you. “I told you last night, I sense a kindred spirit. And… this is my way of paying it forward for something that was done for me at a time when I needed it.”

I’ve never talked this much to anyone other than Lachlan about business. When we’re hammered, we get into shit we’d never say sober, but I’ve never had to talk this much to get someone to stay with me. Women beg. I turn them down, except for a select few. But with Fable, I’m the one desperate to make her stay. Tessa would say it proves I’m capable of caring for a woman who’s not my sister. I’ve never held back with Tessa, but she’s right, openly showing affection to someone else isn’t anything I’ve ever bothered to do. I never wanted to. This is another change in my life—one that forced itself on me when Fable showed up at Lachlan’s and again here at my house.

Fable looks less apprehensive after hearing my comment about “paying it forward.” Of course, that would be what softens her to me.

“Can I think about it?” she asks.

“Think about letting me help you?” Most people in her position would jump at this.

She nods.

“Of course.”

“Thank you,” she murmurs and exits through the door.

My mood sours. Another night without getting laid, the reason why I came here, but sleeping with anyone other than Fable doesn’t feel right—which is exactly why I should do it.

I’m about to turn when a startled Fable barrels in through the hidden door.

“What happened?” I clench my fists, ready to commit murder.