“No, you’re not.”

“You don’t know me,” he said sharply. “A couple dates isn’t enough to see what kind of person I am. Don’t be so naïve.”

I drew back slightly at his harsh words. “You’re the kind of person who saved me from being raped.”

“That’s what this is about, isn’t it?” He sprang to his feet. “You think I’m some sort of white fuckin’ knight, when really I’m just a guy who doesn’t allow shit at his club.”

“You would’ve stepped in wherever you saw that happening.”

He shrugged. “Maybe not.”

“You tell yourself that, Kane, even though it’s bullshit.” I smoothed out my hair and tucked my legs beneath a blanket, suddenly self-conscious.

“You just don’t seem to see me, Viv. Everyone else does, so why don’t you? I’m a criminal. An asshole. I’ve hurt people.”

“I’ve hurt people, too. Haven’t we all?”

He sighed heavily. “I don’t mean it like that. I’m talking about ruin. Taking things that are good and destroying them. That’s what I do. And I’m not doing it to you.”

My heart skipped erratically. What was he saying?

“Kane, I think you just need—”

He cut me off with a murderous glare. “I need to stop pretending with these fancy clothes and dates with a goddamn lawyer.”

I felt my expression crumbling. Maybe he was right. Maybe he was an asshole.

“I like you. And I thought you liked me,” I said, hating the note of desperation in my tone.

“I do. That’s why I’m leaving.”

He didn’t even look back. He just opened the door, walked out and slammed it, leaving no doubt.

I sat on my couch for a long time, staring into nothingness. I didn’t cry. The shock just left me numb, wondering how things had taken such a bad turn so quickly.

Kane

THE KITCHEN STAFF MOVED IN slow motion, laughing and talking as they rotated supplies in the walk-in fridge without the slightest sense of urgency. One guy whose name I could never remember was actually sitting down on an empty, upside-down crate.

“Take your time, ladies,” I boomed from my viewpoint just outside the open door. “It’s not like we open in an hour and have a shitload of prep work to get done, right?”

What’s his name sprang to his feet. “Sorry, Mr. Kane.”

“You’re only sorry you got caught,” I growled. “I pay you above average wages and I expect above average work.”

“Yes, sir.”

The group of men worked double time now, silently stacking and organizing.

“Fuckers,” I muttered as I walked away.

To say I was in a bad mood was an epic understatement. I was seeking out employees whose asses I could chew. It was the only therapy I could find for my rage. I went to my office, closed the door and sat down in my desk chair, scrubbing my hands over my face. Being an asshole to everyone who had the misfortune of crossing paths with me wasn’t getting me anywhere. It’d been this way for almost two weeks now. Since the moment I’d walked out of Viv’s place after our second date.

Now I was pissed off at the world and even more pissed off at myself. Why the fuck had I cockblocked myself like that? I wanted her in the worst way, and knowing she wanted me too and I’d turned her down filled me with anger that simmered on the edge of boiling at all times.

And worse, I’d upset her. She was the first respectable woman to see me as all the man she needed. Not just a good fuck, but someone she actually wanted to be with. And I’d hurt her, walked out and never called.

Classic Matthew Kane. Ruining things was what I did best.

My gaze wandered to the photo of a beautiful, smiling little girl on top of a stack of paperwork on my desk. It had come in the mail yesterday and I’d spent so long just staring at it. She had my dark hair and eyes, but the rest of her was nothing like me. She was perfect.

Seeing my biggest failure was too painful. I turned the photo over and returned it to the stack of paperwork.

I’d been a fucking idiot to think I could ever change. Tailored shirts and fancy shoes couldn’t change who I was inside–a selfish, miserable fuck who laid waste to goodness and beauty.

A loud knock sounded on my door.

“Hey Kane?” It was Felicia, one of the servers.

“Get out.”

“But—”

“Get the fuck out,” I growled.

She closed the door.

I was in no state to be around people right now. Too fucking bad I couldn’t escape myself.

Viv

I was deep in thought when Marcus Anderson walked into my office. I unfurrowed my brow and returned his smile. At age thirty-six, he was the youngest partner at my firm. He was also very easy on the eyes, with a tall, athletic build and pale blue eyes with corners that crinkled with laugh lines when he smiled. Cara had been trying to land him for months, though I told her sleeping with a co-worker, and a partner at that, was not a good idea.

“Viv, am I catching you at a bad time?” Marcus asked. “You look like you’re in the middle of a big decision.”

I grinned sheepishly. “Sort of. I’m trying to decide if I want these boots in brown or black.”

He laughed and I closed my laptop screen.

“Come on in,” I said. “I’m done working for the day and was just winding down before I leave.”

It was nearly seven PM, which was a respectable time to leave at our firm.

“Do you have dinner plans?” Marcus asked.

“Uh . . .”

His smile widened. “I had a big case come in today and I’m going to need co-counsel. I wanted to discuss it with you.”

“Me?” I pointed at myself. Lame. But I couldn’t help it. Never had a partner asked me to be co-counsel on a case.

“Yes.”

I put my hands in my lap to curtail any more pointing and cleared my throat.

“Do you mean just discuss the case, or are you considering me as co-counsel? I mean, either way, of course I’m in.”

“You as co-counsel. You’re doing a great job for us, Viv. I’d like to help you add a feather to your cap.”

This was just the breakthrough I needed. I’d been wallowing in sadness for almost two weeks, trying not to think of Kane and failing most of the time. With every day that passed without a phone call from him, I sank further into the realization that it was over between us.

“Thank you, Marcus.” I rose from my chair and walked to my coat rack, taking off my coat. “Discussing the case over dinner sounds great. We could try that new Japanese place Maggie mentioned the other day.”

“Yeah, I was actually wanting to go to one of my favorite places. It’s a club, but they’ve got amazing food. And it doesn’t really gear up ‘til ten or so. Have you been to Six?”

My stomach sank but I forced my expression to remain impassive.

“I have.”

“Great. Lemme grab my coat and we’ll go catch a cab.”

He left my office and I cringed at the open doorway. Six was the only place in the entire city I didn’t want to set foot in. But I’d have to put on a brave face and do it anyway. Opportunities like this didn’t come along often.

I smoothed the front of my dark gray suit and put my coat on. Maybe Kane wouldn’t be there tonight. Or maybe he wouldn’t see me if he was. It was all I could hope for, because if I saw him, I was afraid I’d lose it in front of the partner I was trying to impress.

Marcus made small talk about football and the upcoming remodel of our office on the ride to the club. When the cab pulled up in front of the club, I eyed the long line skeptically.

“Maybe we should go somewhere else,” I said, trying not to give away the relief I felt. I was most definitely not dropping Kane’s name this time.

“Won’t be a problem,” Marcus said, passing some cash to the cab driver.

I lingered an extra couple seconds in the cab. If Marcus could get past that line, he could probably get upstairs, too.