Now he looked at her straight on. “I felt responsible, Charlotte. Hell, I was responsible. For me, Gianni was an experiment, something I wanted to try, like an exotic delicacy or an adventure I could say I experienced. Yes, I fell for him, but I realized he wasn’t what I wanted. But for Gianni, I was his life. Literally. I’d been selfish and reckless. It never once entered my mind that I was playing with someone’s emotions until it was too late.”
Charlotte reached out and touched Alex’s shoulder. “You couldn’t have known.”
“I should have. Once Gianni became unnaturally possessive, I should have known.”
“What did you do?”
“The only thing I could. I stayed with him until he regained his physical strength. Not as lovers but as friends. I did care about what happened to him. I didn’t want to leave so he could end his life the next time he tried. He saw a shrink. I went with him a few times so the doctor would know what he was dealing with on the other side of the equation. Gianni told me he’s had other lovers over the years, but no relationship lasted. Until now, with this Schiff man.”
“Does Max know?”
“Yes, but not because I told him. At the time our lives didn’t intersect, but he found out because of an article in the newspaper. I didn’t know that until the other day. I think he’s figured out that you’re important to me, but he’s not really sure whether I’m straight or bi. That’s okay. He’s my friend, and he’d be there for me if I needed him.” He settled his hand on her shoulder. “My life has never been anyone’s business. Max knew most of it. Now you know it all. But I didn’t want you to until you knew me first. Trusted me first.” He held her chin. “Tell me that didn’t end today.”
“You should have trusted me.”
“I know, but I figured I’d lose you. That you’d turn away.”
“I did, though, didn’t I?”
“How could you not, after what you saw? Jack was hell-bent on finding out so he could out me to you. If he set someone on the trail, he’d eventually discover my life with Gianni. There were police reports, the newspaper.”
“Has Gianni tried to see you all these years?”
“No, not after he went through therapy and we came to an agreement. He realized he couldn’t keep me the way he had tried. But we’ve watched each other’s careers. He was disappointed in mine. I never told him about my relationship with the Carpathians when we were together.”
“Secretive even then.”
“Yes. He called today to tell me he’d found someone and wanted to see me one last time to make sure he was over me. He was. I knew a long time ago. He thanked me for standing by him when he needed someone. That’s when I told him about you, and he mentioned he knew you. Today, when you saw me with him, I knew what you thought. That’s why I’m here, so you’d know I never lied.”
“I wish you’d been honest from the beginning.”
“Would you have continued seeing me? I don’t think so.”
Charlotte looked pensive. “Honestly? Probably not. Being Max Carpathian’s attorney didn’t help matters either.”
“After my experience with Gianni, I didn’t want to fall in love again. But you can’t control feelings like that, because I love you and want to be part of your life. A sharing part. I’d be devastated if you turned me away, but I wouldn’t kill myself, and I’d hate to think you’d do anything foolish over me. Love shouldn’t be desperate or suffocating.”
She moved next to him so that their bodies touched. Her warmth penetrated his wet clothes. “I’m sorry it played out the way it did, but I’m glad it happened. Everything’s out in the open.” She placed both hands on the sides of his face and planted a kiss hard on his lips. “I love you. I don’t want to lose you.”
“You won’t. We have too many good things to build on. But I should tell you I’m out of a job.”
“Max fired you?”
“No, I quit. The business with Jack made me realize that I didn’t want to deal with people like him anymore. He was my last assignment.”
Charlotte’s delight flashed in her eyes. “Really? What did Max say about that?”
“He was sorry.” Alex laughed. “He said he still didn’t know me, but we’ve shared too many years together to let the change in our business relationship affect our friendship. I’ve paid back his father, but I’ll still be there if he needs me. He would be for me.”
She nodded. “What do you plan to do?”
“I don’t know. I love the law, and there are plenty of people who need a good lawyer, and I’m a good lawyer. Max joked about legal aid, but I might make a good public defender. It’s something to think about.”
“My lover, lawyer to the needy.”
“Has a nice ring to it.”
She kissed him again.
“Seeing Gianni today was a release of sorts. My reckless behavior all those years ago almost cost a man his life. It’s weighed on me ever since. Now I can close that chapter and move on. With you. If you’ll have an unemployed attorney.”
She grabbed him around his waist. “I’ll have you. With whipped cream.”
“That’s dessert. What will be the main course, Ms. Stone? Dinner or me?”
“Oh, Mr. Andros. You. Definitely you.” She grabbed his hand. “This has been an eventful day, for both of us. An emotional day. We need to get to know each other all over again. Without secrets, without the ugliness that brought us together. I want to know you, Alex Andros. And I want you to know me. Come with me.” She took his hand, and they walked out of the office.
Lenore sat on one of the sofas, cradling her anxious face in her hands. She looked up.
“Lenore, Mr. Andros and I are going upstairs. We have a lot to talk about. I may be late tomorrow morning.”
Lenore smiled like the Cheshire Cat. “Take tomorrow off, boss. Take Friday and Saturday too. You haven’t taken a vacation in forever.”
Alex looked into Charlotte’s eyes. He felt a surge of love, a freedom he’d never experienced. “And she may be late Monday, Lenore. Hold the fort, will you?”
“Yes, sir. My pleasure.”
About the Author
Maryn Sinclair, a Massachusetts native living in the South, loves creating characters who murder, love, hate, and connive, but mostly love. She speaks dialogue in her car while driving, makes notes in the middle of half-heartedly doing something else, and conjures up scenarios where her characters make life complicated for themselves. Better them than her.
Learn more about Maryn and her books at: http://MarynSinclair.com
Acknowledgments
Thanks to the wonderful editors at Loose Id for their excellent edits. I learned so much from them. Thanks also to Ellis Vidler―writer, friend, and editor―for her invaluable contribution to this book.
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