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 you’re

is stunned silent. I can’t quite make out the meaning behind the look in his eyes. I’ve way overstepped what is appropriate to say to one’s boss,

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 the

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 won’t

our way. I’ve made a scene. This isn’t how I wanted to say it. I wanted to

blow my nose. I won’t look at him. I must seem like an immature lovesick idiot to him,

in front

voice is soft as he says, “I might be totally awful at this relationship

feel the air shift between us.

insensitive. I might not know when

a warm bath, easing the knot in my stomach and the

my mouth. With one movement, he leans across the table and kisses me tenderly on the lips. My hands find his under the table. When he releases

can’t lose you,” he murmurs. “I need you,

mean? I can’t keep doing this. This back-and-forth

the

“What are you saying?”

pauses, his stormy eyes on mine. “I’ve felt for so long that I was unlovable. That I had too much baggage, and that no one would possibly want to take that on. To be with me—to accept me and all of

true, Dom.” I can’t help but think of his

deep breath, releasing it slowly.

want.” I

He smiles. “I want you too, Presley. I shouldn’t. But I’m

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