The Mistresses Collection. Оливия Гейтс

the roof were lulling. But she’d enjoyed her evening so much, she’d simply had to let him know.

      Now he asked, “You didn’t feel overwhelmed?”

      “Maybe a little, but only in a nice way. Do you mind me asking…? How did Dylan lose his arm?”

      “A car knocked him off his bike when he was twelve. His right arm was caught beneath the tire. The main nerves were severed. He lost all movement and the limb withered. The arm’s still attached but he can’t use it.”

      “So Rhian met him after the accident… .”

      He craned up to give her an odd or protective look. “It doesn’t make Dylan any less a human being. In fact, if anything, it makes him more a man. He still plays ball with his kids, makes them dinner, chases them around the yard. And he’s a whiz with the company books. None of us even think about his arm anymore.” He relaxed back down. “Dylan and Rhian will be together forever.”

      She believed him.

      “Your mom was so welcoming,” she said then. “And your dad’s so funny. I know where you get your storytelling abilities from.”

      “They suit each other. That’s what I think anyway.”

      “Who doesn’t think that?”

      “They’re in the middle of discussions.”

      “About?”

      “Whether to split.”

      “What? I don’t believe it.”

      “It’s been coming for a while. He’s always spent a lot of time at the office, away on business. Last straw, she booked a Mediterranean cruise for just the two of them. At the eleventh hour Dad said he couldn’t make it. Mom went on her own and when she came back, she wanted a separation. She brought us all together and explained that she’d raised her family and was beyond happy to be a grandmother but she also wanted some time with her husband before they were too old to enjoy one another. If he didn’t agree, it was time to go their separate ways. Dad didn’t think she was serious until she moved into their city apartment. She’s made the social pages quite a few times on her own recently.”

      “So it’s too late for a reconciliation?”

      “I only know the writing was on the wall years ago.”

      “Personal and business don’t mix?”

      “Not when there are kids involved and the onus is placed on one parent to raise them. Not when you’re talking billiondollar turnovers that need to be met.” He squeezed and tugged her up against him. “But that doesn’t apply to you and me. We both have careers. Neither of us have kids.” An awkward moment in which they both must have remembered Bonnie passed between them before he went on. “I want to see you again.”

      Trinity felt every one of her emotions condense and begin to glow. She’d enjoyed this evening. Even more, she’d enjoyed sharing Zack’s bed again. But, unfortunately, that didn’t change anything.

      She moistened her lips. Took a breath.

      “Zack, I can’t see you after tonight.”

      His chest stopped moving then he asked, “You want me to prove how much you mean to me?” He rubbed the tip of his nose with hers. “I’ve been told I choose excellent gifts.”

      “You know that’s not it.”

      “Then you liked the globe?”

      “Of course I did. I meant to tell you a dozen times tonight only we never seemed to be alone. But I’m not here now because of a gift. I came because I needed to see you again.”

      He nuzzled against her neck. “And I needed to see you.”

      Her eyes began to burn. She thought she was ready for this conversation. But ready or not, she had to go on.

      “I’ll never forget those two days away. They changed me, Zack. Changed how I think about the world. About the future.”

      He rolled her over. “This is getting entirely too serious.” But when his head slanted over hers, as difficult as it was to deny them both, she wound away and sat up.

      He scratched his cheek and thought a moment.

      “Okay,” he finally said. “You want to talk. Let’s talk.”

      She clutched the cover under her neck and admitted, “I don’t want to hide from who I really am anymore. I had a tough time as a kid but I’m not going to let that beat me. I’ve decided. Someday I want a family of my own.”

      “A family…?” His brow and voice lowered. “Is this supposed to be some kind of ultimatum?”

      “No. Never. You do whatever you want to do. Although I have to say, after seeing you tonight with your family, I think you might be hiding at least a part of who you really want to be, too.”

      He huffed. “Why is it so difficult to believe a man wants to commit to a career?”

      She lifted a brow. “Some say careers are overrated. In fact, I quit my job when I flew back from Colorado.”

      His six-pack crunched as he sat up. “You love that job.”

      “I do. I did. But we get just one life. I want to work with kids. Maybe in counseling or shelters—”

      “You’re doing this to get in touch with Bonnie again,” he cut in.

      Her temper spiked. “Her name’s Belinda. And you’re wrong. I’m doing this because it’s right for me, and I hope Bel and her mother find what’s right for them, too.”

      His gaze held hers. “I don’t believe you never want to feel this again.”

      “We want different things. I want more. Eventually marriage. A family. It’s not a crime. Ask your brothers and sister.” She sighed but didn’t trust herself enough to touch and soothe away the crease cut between his brows. “It’s just the way it is.”

      In the candlelight, she saw the determined glint in his eye. He didn’t accept it. But for once, the decision wasn’t up to him.

      What she didn’t say—what hurt the most—was in these few short days, she’d gone and done what, looking back on their time together, now seemed inevitable. She’d fallen in love.

      As she’d lain awake at night thinking of all they’d shared during such a small vacuum in time, the realization had only grown. She was yet another Zack Harrison victim. She’d never feel for someone else the way she felt for him. If she wanted to fool herself, she could think about taking up his offer to continue their affair and hope that she’d be the one he’d end up with. Have a family with. But no matter how convincing this evening had been, truth was he must have been convincing with scores of other women before her.

      “You’ll spend the night,” he finally said.

      “Until dawn. I don’t want to have pancakes with your family and give them the wrong impression.”

      “That we slept together?”

      “That we’re serious. Besides, I don’t think a red evening gown is suitable attire for breakfast fare.”

      “I have sweaters in the closet.”

      She shook her head—was about to say the words—No, Zack. No—when his cell on the side table buzzed.

      “You should answer it.”

      He growled. “I don’t give a damn who it is.”

      “Maybe it’s one of your brothers. Or your mother or father.”

      “They wouldn’t call at this time of night—”

      Her stomach pitched and she finished for him. “Unless something was wrong.”

      Turned