My heart skips. What exactly is he trying to confess? “About what?” I croak.

“Jesus, nothing bad.” He leans in and runs his hands up and down my arms. “Yes, I was seeing her for a while.”

“Stella?”

His face twists as if he hates hearing the name. “Yes. We were never serious or anything.”

“Okay.”

“I wasn’t lying. When you came back, I ended it with her.”

“Why? We weren’t really together.”

“Come on, Lilly. I warned you I wouldn’t let you get away again. Anyway, she was pissed at me.”

“So, she had feelings for you?”

His eyes widen and he holds up his hands. “Not that I ever knew of. Trust me.”

“So, you had feelings for her?”

“Nothing real.” He looks me in the eye. “I know the difference now.”

How can he make my heart squeeze at the same time he’s telling me about his ex?

“What are you trying to say, Z?”

He jerks his thumb over his shoulder. “Like they said, she works with the club. Her company is more Sway’s pet project—”

“And he let you date her?” I ask with wide eyes.

“I’m sure he wasn’t thrilled. Can I finish?”

“Please do.”

He shakes his head and I have a twinge of guilt for messing with him when he’s trying so hard to tell me whatever it is he thinks I need to know. “I’ve run into her at the hospital when she’s visiting Sway. I’ll probably have to deal with her at some point while I’m in charge down here.”

I shrug. “Okay?”

“Once Sway’s out of the hospital, hell, maybe before then, I don’t know, it’s possible she’ll be here for some parties or whatever. I don’t want you—”

“Z, I appreciate the warning. But—and don’t take this the wrong way—”

“Jesus,” he mutters and shakes his head.

I place my hand on his arm to soften my words. I’m really not trying to be a bitch about this. “I’m going to guess that more than a few bunnies who hang out here have enjoyed your company at one time or another?”

He grits his teeth. “It’s possible,” he concedes.

“Stella was more than just a bunny to you, though?”

“Sort of.”

“We’ve talked about this stuff before. I meant what I said. My own past is plenty colorful.”

He narrows his eyes, a spark of possessiveness gleaming in their dark blue depths, but I continue anyway. “I honestly never expected to want to settle down and be with one guy, but you changed that for me.”

One corner of his mouth lifts. “Keep going.”