She didn’t reply. She kept her eyes closed. Her body was stiff. He wasn’t getting anywhere. But he wasn’t giving up. Nothing was more important than this moment in his life. He had to take away the hurt. For both of them. He didn’t know a human being could hurt so much. He felt raw on the inside, just as gutted as she was. Maybe more so because he’d caused this. The ugly, hurtful things he’d said to her had contributed to her believing he was playing her. How could she have gotten that from his conversation with Drake?

“Baby, please. I need a little help here. I need you to look at me. I need you to talk to me. I say things when I’m pissed. I know that. And I was royally pissed at Drake. By bringing you here, I put you in jeopardy. Hell.” He spat the last word and rolled off of her to lie on his back, both hands pressed to his eyes. Eyes that burned like a son of a bitch.

She didn’t move. He took a deep breath and tried to control the fear snaking through him, knotting his belly and putting bile in his throat. He tried to remember every single thing he’d said to Drake, but all he could hear was her accusations.

You didn’t fuck me because you wanted me. Because I meant something to you. This was all a charade. You made the ultimate sacrifice, didn’t you? You had to have me in your bed. The worst you ever had.

He groaned softly. He was never going to live that down, no matter how many times he apologized to her.

Let’s see if I can remember this right, because there was a moment when you were so angry you told the truth. My amateur performance, I believe you called it. The worst cocksucker you ever experienced. Those words are branded on my brain, but I was stupid enough to let you make me forget them for a moment.

What had he said to Drake that would have brought all of that back when they’d been doing so great together?

“What did I say, Siena? What did you hear that set you off? That made you believe I lied to you? Baby, you have to tell me. I swear to you, I don’t know what I said that you could have misconstrued.”

Beside him, she stiffened, a small sound escaping, as if she wanted to yell at him, or hit him. Scratch his eyes out. He wished she’d try. At least he’d have something to work with. He turned on his side toward her, his arm locking around her waist, dragging her resisting body into his. He caught her hand and forced it down to his cock, holding her palm over the thick erection there.