Black Listed(23)

She snuck up behind him and slid her arms down his chest, burying her nose into the side of his neck. “What are you working on?”

He slammed his laptop shut with a force that startled her. “You’re up.” He pushed away from the desk and stood, leaving her feeling a bit awkward, since he didn’t seem as though he was pleased to see her.

What had changed between the shower and now?

She clasped her hands together to keep from touching him. “I have too much to do to stay in bed.”

Although he faced her, he kept his gaze trained on the wall behind her. “It’s Sunday. No one is waiting for you at the office.”

Her stomach churned at Sawyer’s icy demeanor. Why wouldn’t he look at her? Had he changed his mind about their seven nights?

“True, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have tasks that I need to complete. Unless you’re easing up on your orders for me to take the week off?” She gave him the opening to let her off the hook, hoping he wouldn’t take it.

“That may have been presumptuous of me. I can’t take all of your time. If you need to work, then work.” He shrugged, his tone flat and lifeless. “Just leave the nights open for me.”

Something was wrong. He hadn’t broken their agreement, but he also didn’t seem eager for it. What happened to wanting to spend the days as well as the nights with her? Had he not enjoyed their scene in the shower?

She took a step closer to him. “What were you doing on the computer that you didn’t want me to see?”

He still wouldn’t look at her. “Work. Just work.”

And he’d given her a hard time about needing to go into her office? “Hmm. Seems like I’m not the only one who works on Sundays.” She took another step toward him and placed her hand on his shoulder. “How is Hayes Industries doing?”

“Why?” His gaze shot to her face, the anger in his expression almost palpable. “Planning on taking more of my money?”

Screw him. She snatched her hand away as if he’d burned her and headed for the door. “Forget it. I’m leaving.”

She didn’t need this. He was the one who wanted her here, and now that she was, he was treating her as if she was dirt beneath his shoe.

Before she got to the front door, he caught her by the arm. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.”

She twirled around. “I’ve given you no reason to trust me. But I thought after this morning . . . ” She’d thought their connection was real. “If we’re going to spend the next week together, I at least deserve your respect.” She held her head high and squared her shoulders. “I may have been a thief and a liar, but I’ve spent the last few years atoning for my crimes and changing the direction of my life. I don’t have much, and I live modestly. But I’ve earned everything I have, and I won’t allow you or anyone else to shame me. The fact is I’m not the same woman you knew.”

“No,” he said quietly, turning away from her. “The fact is I never knew you at all.”

Didn’t he understand he knew her better than anyone? “What is your deal?”

He flinched. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yes, you do.” She got into his face and angled his chin, forcing him to look at her. “Four hours ago, your dick was lodged in my throat, and now you won’t even look me in the eye. What the hell happened between then and now?”

His eyes went liquid when she mentioned the blow job but then immediately froze again. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

She threw her arms up in exasperation. “I don’t get it. You ask me to trust you and—”

“And you refused.”

She studied him, noting the extra tightness in his jaw, the hardness of his eyes, and the rigidness of his shoulders.

That was what this was about? Trust?

Why couldn’t the trust she showed him through her submission be enough for him? She couldn’t give him more. Besides, what did it matter when this whole thing between them was temporary?

“I was practically asleep,” she said as explanation. “You can’t blame me for something I uttered while I was crashing from our scene.”

“You’re right. I can’t.” He grabbed her shoulders and pushed her until she was flush with the wall. “So I’m asking you again while you’re awake. Can you trust me enough to ask for help? Because I know there’s a lot you haven’t told me.” He swept his thumb across her lips, and it took everything she had not to suck it into her mouth. “You loved me. I know you did. But when something or someone spooked you, you didn’t love me enough to trust me.” His voice cracked with emotion. “I would’ve helped you. I’ll still help you, but you have to trust me first.”