Lethal Secrets

Chapter 9: An Explanation

The moment he closed the door behind us, my mask of indifference slipped away to reveal my displeasure at having to interact with him. "What are you doing here Andreas?" At that, he flashed the driver a look, prompting him to roll up the divider.

"I would think that's obvious, Babydoll." I pulled my hand away as he reached for me. "How did the interview go?"

My irritation towards him continued to simmer. "That's none of your damn business and the name is Nicole." I turned towards the window, unable to stand the sight of him without wanting to inflict some serious bodily harm.

I felt him move to my side, and despite my best effort to deny it, his scent was both delicious and comforting. Damn him a thousand times over. "Babydoll please, just let me explain." His pleading tone had the weaker part of me entertaining thoughts of forgiving him. If you do, you'll be exactly the fool he seems to think you are.

"I'm pretty sure we've already done this scenario haven't we?" I turned to him. "How about you do both of us a favour and skip it this time." Despite my best efforts to push him away, he grasped both sides of my face, forcing my to meet his eyes.

"Nicole look at me."

My brows creased as my ire grew. "What the hel-"

His expression matched mine. "Really look, Nicole. Do you not see how much this misunderstanding pains me?" One of his hands moved to grasp my nape. "How much your pain hurts me?" His agitated look became more pained. "I've been unable to function, can't eat or sleep without thoughts of you, what you must be thinking. Please, I just need a moment of your time, and after that if you want to despise me, I'll accept the fact. Just let me set things straight."

Upon closer inspection, he did in fact appear worn out. His eyes were slightly bloodshot over dark circles, and his five o'clock shadow was uneven in several spots where he'd tried to shave but had appeared to give up. "Fine. You have two minutes. But let me go."

He did immediately, his sincere smile tugging at my heart despite it all. "Devyn was a friend with benefits but I haven't slept with her since we've met Nicole. Our relationship was extremely casual, and it had slipped my mind that I should tell her that I wanted to cut things off, because since I've met you, I haven't thought of anyone else. And I don't plan to in the foreseeable future." His hand grasped mine. "I told her that it was over the other night, because I only want you."

I pulled my hand away from his. "Well that's a shame considering I don't want to have anything to do with you. I trusted you, despite all my reservations I decided that for once I was going to go with my heart instead of my head and look what that got me." I shook my head. "And your big excuse is 'I forgot about her'?"

"Look Nicole, is it the perfect excuse? Not in the slightest, but do you really think I'm a bad liar? If I wanted to spin you a good story I would, but I want to be honest with you, as I have always been. It's pretty fucking obvious I'm an imperfect human being, and at times I see people as nothing more than tools or conveniences." Very on brand for him, I have to admit. "As monstrous as it sounds Devyn was convenient back when I was lonely and bored, nothing more, but with you, I'm neither. I didn't need her anymore, hence I didn't care enough to give her a memo." He reached for me once more, and I allowed him to take my hand. "I know it's fast and understandably you have very little reason to believe me, but you make me happier than I've been in forever, and despite my many mistakes, I would never intentionally jeopardize your trust in me." He raised my hand to his lips. "I'm falling for you hard, Babydoll, even while you're angry at me."

I couldn't help but acknowledge that he was making sense, and some of my anger towards him deflated, though I remained wary. "Do you have any other 'friends' you should handle?"