The One That I Want (Scorned Women Society Book 3) by Piper Sheldon (e book reader android txt) 📕

… I don’t want you to think that my behavior that night was in any way an attempt to persuade you to do business with the Lodge.”

Sanders blinked, his eyebrows rose in genuine surprise. “I never thought that. Not even for a second.”

He stepped closer. I didn’t retreat though every inch of me wanted to run away. “I didn’t know who you were either. I just needed to see you again. It felt important.”

I frowned at the ground.

“Tell me you didn’t feel that too,” he said.

“You flew across the country …”

“Just a few states, really.”

“For a connection?” I finished.

“For destiny. And I notice you haven’t denied it.”

“Sanders, you can’t talk like that,” I said. I held up a hand and took a step back. Boundaries. Plans. “The way I acted that night was out of character, that isn’t who I am.” It was though, wasn’t it? That was the real problem.

“We would have met again eventually because of work. I just took Skip’s place temporarily. It’s not as dramatic as all that. Think about it. We would have met again.” When he put it that way, the anxiety eased up a bit in my chest.

“This is all just too much,” I said honestly.

“Why did you want to leave things that night? Why so final?” he asked boldly. He wouldn’t let me look away.

I couldn’t look into those blue eyes without wanting to pour everything out. “I…I—”

“Tell me. Did I do something?” He looked so open and vulnerable again. Gah. He had to stop doing that.

“Please.” His hands reached for me but then dropped and stuffed deep into his pockets. “You can be honest. Was it me? Did I push too hard?”

“No. It wasn’t that.” Didn’t he remember that it was my idea to go back to the hotel? A fresh wave of shame burned my cheeks.

I couldn’t handle his puppy dog eyes.

“Roxy?” he pleaded and moved closer. If his eyes were catnip, then his masculine scent and the heat of his body was straight heroin to my system. I was powerless. He continued, “I know your career is important to you. My career is important to me too. Let’s leave all that back there.” He gestured to the Lodge. “Right now we’re just two people standing in the forest. We’re a man and a woman that met in a club. Tell me what’s going through your head and then back to business. I just want to understand.”

I glanced around and then forced myself to focus on his face. Tentatively, I explained, “That night, things were moving too fast. I’m not in a place to think about anything other than my career.”

There were a million other things I wanted to explain but I couldn’t even have this conversation with my best friend, let alone a business associate.

“It’s best if we move forward as coworkers. Maybe even friends. And that’s it,” I finished.

Something shuttered behind his smile. A hand rubbed his chest. “Thank you for being honest with me.”

I chewed my lip and nodded once.

“I’m so sorry I bombarded you Friday. I was just really excited to see you again.” Hear that? That was the sound of my charcoal black heart cracking open. “About the Lodge,” he said, “Outside the Box could pull out. If I messed this up. I’ll talk to Vincent and explain. We don’t have to do this if you think it’ll be too weird.”

I didn’t know this version of him. He seemed distant, professional, probably trying to mimic how I had acted toward him. He actually seemed a little worried. Dammit if it didn’t make me want to hug him. This was what being around him did to my brain. It made me all touchy-feely.

“No. Don’t. It really would be fantastic for the Lodge. And for Outside the Box.”

“Right. Yeah.” He nodded looking at the ground.

“You have a life and family in Colorado, I’m sure. A completely professional relationship would be for the best,” I emphasized again.

“Of course.”

I kept myself very still, my face purposely blank. I knew this was for the best. I knew I couldn’t risk being around him, not when he spoke so openly and sweetly. It was like asking a kleptomaniac to house-sit, I couldn’t be tempted like that.

“For this MooreTek business. I have everything planned. There are a few afternoons free where you can schedule in your activities.” I shifted from foot to foot. “I will email you the itinerary and you can go from there,” I said.

“Wait, what? Vincent just told us to stick together like glue.”

“I know what he said. But I work better alone. Plus, it’s better for you. Think of this as a group project and all you have to do is show up and get the grade.” I fixed my bangs when a breeze blew through them.

As I spoke, his smile slipped off his face. I steeled myself. This was all for the greater good. WWSWSD?

He ran his hands through his hair, looking like he was debating on saying something.

Finally, making up his mind, he said, “Sure. I understand. See ya around.” He turned and headed back to the Lodge.

When he was out of sight, I leaned against a tree to catch my breath. I pressed my hand to my chest hoping to calm my racing heart. I hadn’t expected it to be so hard to set this line in the sand. I wanted to do the right thing for both of us, so why did it feel so wrong?

Chapter 11

Sanders

My hands shook with unidentifiable emotion as I walked away from Roxy but my smile remained carefully in place. Roxy was struggling with something and needed time. So while I wanted to go back and wrap her in a hug, the smartest thing was to show her I could be patient and respect her wish for boundaries.

Stupid boundaries.

I hated that she was pushing me away. My appearance had not been the happy reunion I’d been hoping for, but Vincent had told us to work together.