He grinned and didn’t look up. “That you knew. But why I dropped her may be a little less known to you.”

He’d said she cheated with Logan. I remembered his words from the club.

Does he really know that? I wondered. Still somehow hoping it wasn’t. My mind’s way of trying to protect me from my own humiliation.

I shrugged. “I’d assume the same ol’. One of you cheated?”

Was Susan really the only one that cheated? I hadn’t really realized that I’d crossed my arms disapprovingly. Suspecting that he might be just as guilty. Because like Logan, women tended to flock to him.

“Yes. It is the classic tale.” He admitted.

“Did you do it too?” I couldn’t help the note of accusation.

He turned his head to me, eyes wide at the sound of that note. “Not me.”

“You sure about that?”

“Pretty sure I’m present where my dick is.” He said a bit harshly. My brows went up. “You think I’d do that?”

“I’ve seen the way women respond to you.” I began.

“You don’t.” He cut me off.

I’m not entirely immune. I mentally corrected.

“No…But Teresa. Rita…”

“Yeah.” He groaned.

“And it’s been my experience that when men have it that easy, the temptation is hard to resist.”

“Hmm. The way Suze told it, she was the one that had to resist him.”

Logan.

“Huh?” I said. “It would be very sleazy to go after an engaged woman.”

But that wasn’t entirely unlike Logan.

He gave me a sideways glance. Shaking the pan slightly and not answering.

“Seriously?” I said.

Was it really Logan?

Or he just thought so.

“Your sleaze.” His words were flat.

Logan.

He’s not mine!

Hearing him say that was still like a kick to the stomach.

Why does it still hurt so much? I wondered.

I supposed because it was still humiliating feeling like I had not been enough to keep him faithful. Even though I knew it was nothing to do with that, still felt that way.

Everyone knows it’s not their fault. But I’d bet all of them felt the same as I did. Embarrassed, ashamed and angry.

“That’s an odd coincidence.” I commented.

Wondering if perhaps that was the real reason he’d wanted me to be the one to move in with him. A kind of vengeance, perhaps?

“Not really. She dragged me to last year’s Christmas party. So, we were there, and you and Walker were there. Apparently, they met that night.”

“Seems so cold that they could do that.”

“That’s why I want nothing more to do with her. She’s not who I thought she was.”

“I guess Logan wasn’t either.”

“Why didn’t you require a portion of Logan’s money during the divorce?” He let go of the pan to face me as he blurted the question.

Obviously wanting to change the subject as badly as me.

“I just wanted away from him. None of that mattered to me.”

“You could’ve used it for your mom.”

“If I was a smarter woman I probably would’ve.”

But I was in too much pain.

“I’d just wanted to cut all ties with him at the time.”

“But you still work for him?”

“With him.” I corrected.

“Huge difference.”

“It is different to me. I’m done being controlled by a man.”

“Yet you moved in with me when I asked?”

I scowled at him. Not missing his meaning.

He has control of me now.

To an extent.

“Your reluctance to ask Logan Walker for something you truly needed led to you ending up under my thumb. Under the control of a man again.” He noted softly. “That’s ironic and unfortunate. You’re lucky I’m not a weaker man.”

“Why?”

“Because a weaker man might take advantage of that.”

“You are.”

“Not in the way I mean.” He pulled the steaks from the pan and set them on the cutting board, he’d wiped off from the salad. Cutting off a small piece and offering it to me on the edge of a fork. “Bite?”

Almost sounds like he’s asking me to bite that bait.

Eyeing him suspiciously, I set my teeth over it and drew it off the bit of silver. The buttery flavor slicking over my tongue and melting throughout my mouth. The slight salt and garlic flavor only enhancing the natural taste of the meat.

It was delicious.

Yes. He certainly can cook.

I gave him a really astonished look as I swallowed. “That’s really good.”

He grinned and went back to cutting the meat into slivers. He grabbed some plates and quickly dished us up. He pulled up a seat at the narrow bar counter, indicating I should hop on the stool. I took the plate and did. He strode around to sit opposite me.

I greedily picked up the silverware and started eating. Noticing that the light from the windows had dimmed and it was now dark.

“Don’t you have to go to work?”

“No. Tim is going in for me tonight.”

“Why?”

“Because I thought you might want some company. Looked like you were having a shit night.”

My mouth moved but words weren’t coming out.

I hadn’t expected that from him.

Logan didn’t even do that.

“I just…Mom…I was.”

He put up a staying hand. “I know. You shouldn’t be alone.”

He stayed home because of me.

Feeling a desperate need to change the subject again, I asked why Susan was still pursuing the possibility of a relationship.

“Why is Walker?” He asked.

Before I could answer he continued.

“Because those kinds of narcissists always want what they don’t have. And they don’t have us.” He explained. “Now.”

“So, I’m your Beard?”

“Beard?”

“Your cover to dissuade Susan.”

He gave a conceding nod. “How’s your steak?”

“Divine.” I sighed wistfully. “You do know, just because I’m staying here doesn’t mean you control me right?”

He gave a lopsided smile and didn’t look up from his meal. “We’ll see.”

That made the old defiance spark through me.

“Are you sure you want me here? May not prove as pleasing as you anticipate.” I asked cryptically.

“Oh, I’m sure. My apartment already smells better just having you here.”

I blinked in confusion. Unsure if that was a compliment or super weird.

Or both.

Both.

I think.

So, why did it make a little thrill run through me?

***

“So, what exactly am I supposed to do for this deal?”

“Stay here. Make yourself at home. Don’t bring men here. Don’t trash my place.”

I looked at him. “Nothing catchy?”

“Nope.” He shook his head.

“You have some kind of ulterior motive. Nothing is ever this simple.” I said warily.

“I do.”

“Keep Susan away from me.”

“Done.” I finished a few bites of my salad and sat back. Holding my stomach as I considered what was left of my steak.