Page 54

There is nothing in his demeanor which suggests he’s not serious, though, and I hate how good his possessiveness makes me feel. Not that I will admit that to him. “And what about you?”
He runs his tongue over his teeth, eyes burning into mine. “I’ll take a cab.”
My heart bottoms out of my chest. Of course he will. Heaven forbid he should get in the car with me. That we should spend some time together. Never mind talk and try to figure this mess out. It’s yet another reminder that I’m nothing to him, nothing other than an itch he occasionally needs to scratch. He’s right about one thing though. I do need to leave. I suck in a breath and roll back my shoulders, glancing at the keypad on the door beside us. “How do we get back inside?”
Drake bangs three times on the door with his fist, and a second later, a man on the other side opens it. “Mr. James,” he says with a polite nod, not making eye contact with me. Huh. Money sure does talk. Has he been waiting there all this time just to open that door? Did he hear everything that happened between us?
My cheeks flame hotter than the sun, and I look to Drake, but his face is unreadable now. He is once again every inch the coldhearted lawyer, all traces of the passion he showed a moment ago now gone. Is he some kind of machine?
Swallowing down the thick knot of shame and anger in my throat, I stride back to the table. My date’s face is a mask of confusion and understandable annoyance, and I feel so awful about what happened that tears spring to my eyes. He’s a nice guy who doesn’t deserve what just happened to him, even though he has no idea about it. Drake James has ruined me for nice guys like Jacob.
When he sees my teary-eyed state, he pushes back his chair and stands. “Amelia, what’s wrong?”
I force a smile. “Nothing important, honestly. I really don’t feel well is all. I think I’m going to head home.”
“Let me get the check and I’ll take you.”
I place my hand on his arm. “That’s really sweet, but I’d rather just grab a cab and go straight to bed.”
His eyes fill with concern, and his genuine consideration makes me feel even worse. I fish in my purse, pull out a wad of twenty-dollar bills, and place them on the table. “I think this should cover the check.”
He glances at the money. “That’s not necessary, Amelia. This was meant to be my treat.”
“Please, let me.” I can’t bear the thought of him not only sitting alone while I submitted to my boss but then also paying for the meal.
“Okay then,” he says, nodding. “Next time it’s on me, okay? Let me know you get home safe, and I’ll see you in the office?”
Oh god. I’ll have to see him every day at work. Tears are burning behind my eyes now. Why did I think this would be a good idea? “Yeah, sure.”
“I’ll save you a bagel.”
I mumble something that’s half apology and half thanks before I rush out of the restaurant. Now I actually do feel sick. I just allowed my boss to finger-fuck me in a stairwell. What am I,sixteen? What if someone saw us? What if I lose my job? What if?—
“Miss Ryder,” Constantine says, interrupting my catastrophizing. He gestures toward the sleek black SUV.
I shake my head. I want nothing from Drake James. “I’ll take a cab.”
He places a hand over his heart. “My life won’t be worth living if I let you leave here in a cab.”
I glance behind him at the busy street. “That won’t work on me this time, buddy.”
I whistle for a passing cab, and one pulls to a halt.
“Miss Ryder, please?” Constantine implores.
I walk past him and pull open the taxi door, my chin held high. “Tell your boss he doesn’t need to give me a ride home to make himself feel better about being a coldhearted asshole. I’m a big girl, and I can take care of myself.”
Before he can reply, I jump into the cab and give the driver my address. Drake James can go straight to hell. That is the last time he’ll play me.
Ever.
Chapter
Twenty-Six
DRAKE
“What the hell are you doing here?” I bark at Constantine as I emerge from the restaurant. I watched in satisfaction as she said goodnight to the schmuck she was with and gave her enough time to leave and get into the car.