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What the hell's wrong with me?

This is nothing new, so why the hell is my skin suddenly crawling at having another woman this close to me? Why do I suddenly feel so hollow, knowing that Therese wouldn't have done this if she didn't think I was willing to consider what's being offered?

Men aren't the only ones who exchanged favors for sex. Women like Therese have no problem doing the same thing, and while it's something I've never cared to get involved in—

I realize now that I'm still playing their game. Because when Therese smiles up at me, my own lips curve in a smile, and I can't remember hating myself more than I did at that moment. Whenever women like Therese come on to me, I simply let them think what they want without actually taking the bait. It'sstrategic,and that's how I've always thought of it. You never know whose favor you'll someday need, so I've always played it safe. It's never been my style to pick unnecessary fights.

But when I turn to Shayla, just to make sure she's still within my line of sight, and my gaze unexpectedly collides with hers—

No.

Pain flashes over her features as she sees Therese holding my arm like I'm already hers, and I suddenly find myself wondering how far I'm willing to be strategic—

"The Olivarez case," Therese says. "I think I've come across something that you could find helpful. Should we talk about it in private?"

—if it means hurting the woman I...want.

I look back at Therese, and she holds my gaze without hesitation, letting me know without words that her offer comes with certain expectations.

"I'm not an idiot, Therese. There's always something more to your offer."

A moment passes before she completely relaxes with a laugh. It's exactly what I'm hoping for...since rejecting her outright would have gained me an enemy for life.

"Weigh your options then..." Therese's fingers slowly trail up my chest as she speaks, and it's a struggle not to shove her away. "And call me once you've made up your mind."

She walks away, and I watch her doing so because I know it will hurt her pride if I do anything else.

Shame eats me alive when I realize how low I've sunk, and how I've ended up playing the same dirty game as everyone else here. I may not have yet reached a point of selling myself, but wasn't that only a matter of time, with how I've been making compromises left and right?

And all for what, dammit?

To maintain my reputation as one of East Coast's most successful lawyers? To prove to everyone that I don't need my father's billions to make a name for myself? Is gaining another meaningless milestone in my career worth losing sight of what matters?

And when I finally turn to start looking for Shayla—

She's gone.

And that's when I realize how big a mistake I've made.

My parents were crazy about each other. But then all of a sudden, they just...weren't.

That was what she said about the two people she had trusted as a child...only to have them shatter her trust in relationships.

You're driving me crazy, Shayla. I want you. More than I've ever wanted anyone.

And that's what I told her.

The man she's worked for all these years.

And even though she's never said it—

We both knew she's always respected me. Looked up to me. Trusted me.

And in return, I told her I was crazy about her...only to allow another woman to touch me like my own body were a commodity.