She sucked in a deep breath, looking as if he punched her in the windpipe. “Oh. And I left.”
Their gazes collided. “And you left.”
“I didn’t leave because I got what I wanted and was done with you.” She lifted her chin, tossing her hair back defiantly. “And I didn’t use you. But you did lie to me.”
“I know I should’ve told you the bloody truth, and I was going to.” He pushed off the door, approaching her. She backed away from him. “I was going to tell you the truth when I came out of the bathroom, but you were gone. Why did you leave?”
She swallowed hard. “I thought I was supposed to. Isn’t that how one-night stands work? We had sex, and I … left. I didn’t know what else to do.”
“There you go thinking too much again.” He grit his teeth, not sure how he should take her sentence. Had she really wanted to leave then, or had she left because she thought she was supposed to? “So that’s all you wanted, then? Just one night?”
“Isn’t that what we agreed to? Distractions? It wasn’t supposed to be more than that,” she whispered, fiddling with her purse strap. “We didn’t exactly wait to hop into bed, did we? I thought … I thought I was supposed to leave before it got all awkward.”
“Awkward.” He laughed harshly. “I see.”
She put her hands on her hips, her eyes shooting sparks. “Did you want me to stay?”
He stiffened. He didn’t know how to respond. Hell, yes, he had wanted her to stay. Hell, he still wanted her to stay. But did he want to admit the truth, when she clearly hadn’t wanted to? But then again, could he afford not to? Right now, he needed her more than he needed anything in his life.
And he wouldn’t lose her because he was too much of a pu**y to admit it.
“Yes, I f**king wanted you to stay.” He smoothed his hair, flinching when he touched the stiff locks. He had more gel in his hair than Justin Bieber on a Friday night. He needed a shower—but he needed her more. “I didn’t want you to leave. At all.”
She nodded, her eyes on his. “I didn’t really want to leave, either. But it scares me that I wanted to stay.”
He took a step closer to her, and this time she didn’t back up. “Because you feel guilty? Or you don’t think you should move on? Be happy?”
“Yes and no. I know I’m not making sense.” She set her purse down and held her hands out, palms up. “But miraculously enough, I feel more upset about what is going on between us right now, than Hugh. And then that makes me feel even worse. And guilty. So guilty. I’m not prepared for this. I’m not ready.”
He captured her hands, holding them close to his chest. He couldn’t not touch her. “I know how hard it is to move on, but sometimes the Universe knows when you’re ready—even if you don’t. Sometimes it’ll throw stuff your way, even when you swear you don’t want or even need it.”
She clung to him. “I’m starting to see that.”
He moved even closer, bending his head to inhale her fresh scent. Would he ever be able to smell her perfume again without immediately thinking of her? He hoped not. No matter the outcome of this affair—he wanted to remember her always. “You deserve to be happy.”
She nodded. “Max said that, too.”
Max. “Was he the bloke from earlier?”
“Yes, my brother-in-law. He was worried about me—and so was my sister—so she sent him to check on me.”
Relief flooded his veins, making him lightheaded. “Oh, thank God. I thought you lied to me and he might be your husband or something.”
She stiffened and pulled free. “No, I’m single. I wouldn’t sleep with you if I was married.”
“I know.” He tried to hold her again, but she shot him a glare. He’d managed to piss her off. Again. It’s no wonder he was always alone. He shoved his trembling hands into his pockets. “I’m sorry. I haven’t exactly seen a whole lot of faithful marriages in my life. It’s hard to remember not everyone cheats and lies.”
She nodded. “Who was the girl you were kissing?”
“A costar that wants to be more than costars.” He lifted his head, capturing her gaze. “I swear to you I’ve never touched her before tonight. She came at a moment where I was … weak … and I didn’t react quickly enough. I was about to send her on her way when you saw me. You are the only woman I’ve touched since coming here.”
For a while, she didn’t say anything, but then she finally spoke. “I’m trying to believe you, but last night you had a one-night stand. With me.”
He shook his head, his heartbeat thumping loudly in his head. “It wasn’t just a one-night stand to me by the time we came here. It was at first, but by dinner I’d changed my mind. To me, it was a new beginning. Or, I’d rather hoped it was.”
She swallowed hard. “I told you I wasn’t looking for a relationship. From the beginning, I told you I didn’t want anything more than sex.”
His world crashed around him. She was rejecting him. And he couldn’t do a damn thing about it but smile graciously and let her go. “And I’d hoped I could change your mind. I’m ever the optimist.”
“Apparently. But … ” She nibbled on her lower lip, advancing on him this time. He resisted the urge to back away from her like she had done to him. Resisted the primal urge to protect his heart from her words. “I don’t like musicals. I’m not fond of actors, either. You’re all arrogant and out of control. Annoying, too—no offense.”
He raised a brow, refusing to show her how much her words had hurt. “Would you like a dagger to stick into my back? It might be more effective.”
“Let me finish.” She rested her hands on his chest, much like the extra whose name he still didn’t know had, but Lexi’s touch was soft. Gentle. “I don’t like any of those things, but I like you. And I like watching you do them.”
He sucked in a deep breath. “Lexi … ”
“Can we start over?” she whispered. Holding her hand out, she said, “I’m Lexi—boring stock broker.”
He eyed her hand then closed his fingers around hers. “I’m Justin—an actor and singer.”
“Good. Now kiss me.”
She lifted up on tiptoes, her eyes drifting closed. He stared down at her, relishing every single detail of this moment while also battling the urge to whoop with joy and spin her in a circle. He wanted nothing more than to give her what she asked for, but still he held back. “I’m not done yet. We’re starting out honestly this time.”