Free At His Mercy by Tawny Taylor Page A

sighed, dragged his fingers through his hair. “I kept wanting to believe you. But she was calling, telling me something so different. It didn’t help that you weren’t willing to tell me the truth, although I completely understand why you couldn’t. Keeping your mouth closed only made you look guiltier.”
    “Sure, I can see that.” At least now she understood why his respect for her seemed to yo-yo up and down. And she was willing to admit if an old friend of hers had told her those kinds of things, she’d be reacting first, checking the facts second. “But you said ‘was’. Does that mean you’re not friends with Stacy anymore?”
    “I don’t know yet if she lied to me or if she was just passing on false information un intentionally . Until I do know, I’m keeping my distance. It’s just better that way.”
    “Then I’m sorry that you’ve maybe lost a friend over this. It’s all very sad, and I never felt it was worth it.”
    “ So we’re clear on that now, right?”
    “Yes. I’d say you acted as any human being would . Emotions were running high. You were confused and angry, maybe trusting someone who was trying to manipulate you.”
    “ You’re being so understanding about it all.”
    “I still have my job, and my insurance, thanks to you. Maybe it’s a little easier being understanding because of that. ” She hesitated. “Will you tell me now what happened after I left that day? Between you and Matt? ”
    “We had a little talk. I guarantee he’s not going to whisper a word about your situation.”
    “Okay. That’s all you’re going to tell me?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Fine. W hat about you? We’ve spent all this time together tonight and you haven’t said a word about a new job. Did you find one? ”
    “I’m fine.” He looked fine. In fact, he looked better than fine, but that didn’t stop the sudden pang of regret from stabbing her in the gut and making her feel a little sick. He’d given up a great job for her. Even if he told her he’d found something ten times better, she’d still feel somewhat guilty. “I didn’t have to go back to working for my father’s company.”
    “You don’t like working for your father?”
    “It’s not bad work. It’s just that, since graduating from grad school, I told myself I wasn’t going to ask for his help anymore. And I haven’t, for years. I’ m my own man. Make my own decisions and pay the price s for my own mistakes .”
    “I understand.” She studied his face for a moment. That adorable chin and emotion-riddled eyes. The thick wave of hair that always tumbled over his brow. For just the briefest of moments, she could see the vulnerable young man Kyler had once been , the one who had set out to prove to his father that he had finally grown up and was ready to stand on his own two feet. “That means a lot to you.”
    “Yeah,” he said casually. She knew better than to buy the easygoing tone of his voice. The truth was in his eyes.
    There was this long moment of silence. Finally, she broke it. “I wish I could say I’m sorry for what Becker did, but I hate to admit this — don’t take it the wrong way — I’m kind of grateful . In a very small way. ”
    His eyes widened with surprise. “What do you mean?”
    “If he hadn’t tried to blackmail me, would you ever have taken the chance with me?” When he opened his mouth to speak, she added, “Honestly?”
    His jaw snapped shut. He stared at her for one, two, three excruciatingly long seconds. Then he shook his head. “Probably not.”
    “Can I ask why not? Does that question make me sound as pathetic and desperate as I think it does?”
    “Sure you can, and no it doesn’t. There were several reasons why, but mainly I wouldn’t because you worked for me.”
    “And I don’t work for you anymore.”
    “Exactly.” His smile wasn’t exactly beaming, but at least his expression brightened slightly. “ Which brings me to the second thing I wanted to talk to you about