Two Can Play (Celeste and Dominic) novel Chapter 574

"You don't get it?" He pushed his chair back, stood up, and rounded the desk. He walked toward me with slow, measured strides, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, his towering frame cutting off the light behind him.

"What, Scarlett? You think I want to see the woman I love kneeling before other people? Before some dumb bitches?"

The words hit me like a slap. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. "I... I don't think I'm following your line of thought."

He stepped right into my space, reached out, and caught both of my shoulders in his hands. His grip was firm, not hurting, but giving me a gentle, desperate shake that forced my eyes to stay locked on his.

"Don't you get it, Scarlett? I am in love with you. Why can't you see it? Scarlett, I am crazy about you. And I don't want to see you kneeling before anyone. You should never have to do that. Don't you understand how that footage made me feel?"

I stared at him, my lips parting in complete shock. The room seemed to tilt beneath my feet. I pulled back, slipping out of his grasp, and shook my head violently.

"Come on, Sparrow. If this is a joke, make it clear and I can start laughing right away. Ha...ha...ha...ha."

"A joke?" his voice cracked with raw frustration, and he took another step forward. "You can't tell me that you haven't seen it. You can't tell me you don't feel what is between us. You don't feel the fact that I... that I am crazy about you?"

"No, listen to me," I swallowed hard, stepping backward until my calves hit the edge of a leather sofa. "I know you have been much nicer to me lately. I noticed it. But I just thought... I assumed it was because I pleased you in bed. That I was just maybe slightly better than the other women you sleep with."

"Go on, I am waiting," he demanded softly, leaning down so his face was inches from mine. "Look at me, goddamn it, and tell me that you do not love me."

I swallowed, the tears I had been fighting all night finally burning the backs of my eyes. I looked into his dark, searching gaze, seeing everything he had laid bare on the floor between us, and slowly shook my head.

"I..." My voice broke into a whisper. "I don't have the luxury..." I lowered my eyes, unable to hold his gaze any longer.

"I cannot afford the luxury of falling in love with you, Sparrow. I am sorry."