Seven Nights of Sin (Penthouse Affair #2)

Chapter 39 Presley

This time, his rejection is like getting punched in the throat. I feel the lump form like a bruise and lodge itself in my trachea. I can’t speak. Can’t breathe.

“I’m sorry,” he says, his voice cutting through me like a cold wind.

“No,” I manage to croak. “I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for.” He shakes his head, roughly rubbing his eyes with the heal of his hand.

“I do, though,” I say, my voice wobbling. “You told me not to fall in love with you. I did it anyway. I guess I’m not very good at following directions.”

Tears now falling freely from my eyes roll down both cheeks, and I quickly wipe them away. But I’m not ashamed. It feels so good to just say it out loud. I hadn’t imagined that I would ever get this far. I thought he would retreat before I got the chance to bare my soul like this. But I’m not hiding my truth any longer.

“I don’t have the capacity for love,” he says softly, his eyes downcast at the table in front of us.

“That’s stupid.”

He looks up at me in shock.

“I mean, for a CEO, you’re really dumb. You are capable of love. I’ve seen it in the way you take care of your daughters. And in the way that you look to Fran for help and advice when you need it most. I’ve seen it in the way that you work with Oliver. You trust him, more than anyone. I’ve seen it when you talk about your brother that you lost. I’ve seen it when you first gave me that promotion—”

Dominic opens his mouth to object.

“—and don’t pretend that was strictly professional. You care about me and my future. I saw it when I was with Emilia and Lacey, braiding their hair. I know you felt it.”

“Presley . . .”

imperfect. It isn’t that you aren’t capable of it. It’s that

the look in his eyes. I’ve way overstepped what is appropriate to say to one’s boss, but any and all boundaries crumbled into dust the first time

for you,” I blurt out. “If you can’t be with me in the way that we both need you to be, then I’m going to walk away. It’s

alongside him now—this man who took my virginity, took my whole heart, and offered me nothing in return. If I’m going to pick up the pieces, I need to do it where I

deafening, and other people in the lounge are shooting curious glances our way. I’ve made a scene. This isn’t how I

look at him. I must seem

directly in front of me. I pick it up with shaking fingers.

as he says, “I

I feel the air shift

a deep breath. “I might be insensitive. I might not know when you’re hurting, or when you need me. I might need a

like salts into a warm bath, easing the knot in my

me tenderly on the lips. My

you,” he murmurs. “I need you,

can’t keep doing

the truth is, neither can

“What are you saying?”

too much baggage, and that no one would possibly want to take that on. To be with me—to accept me and all of my

true, Dom.” I can’t help but think of his ex that discarded him and their babies

deep breath, releasing it slowly.

I want.” I shrug, trying

I shouldn’t. But I’m selfish and I do.

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