Page 45 of Flynn

“You are going to have to be more specific.”

“It’s just a physical relationship between us. That’s what you said in the initial stage.”

She tore off a piece of the fragrant bread and dipped it into her stew. “We both agreed-”

“We did.”

“So there.”

“You are getting defensive,” he pointed out.

“I am not!”

“I think you are.”

“I am-” It suddenly occurred to her that she was behaving like the guilty party and proving him right. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself and continued eating. “We were burnt by people who were supposed to love us; it’s no sense making that mistake again.”

“You already explained yourself.” He told her coolly.

“Look-”

“Would you mind if we enjoyed the meal in silence?”

Glaring at him and inwardly fuming at his flippant behavior, she lapsed into silence and finished eating.

He helped her clear the table, shrugging noncommittally when she told him she had forgotten to pick up dessert. She washed while he rinsed, and very soon, the kitchen was spic and span. They made the ascent up the stairs, where she started to undress.

She was finished before him and sat on the edge of the bed, watching as he took off his expensive Italian loafers and silk socks before getting rid of his pants.

“We need to talk,” he announced as soon as he removed his shirt.

Despite herself, she felt her heart pumping and her body tensing.

“Okay.”

Instead of coming to join her on the bed, he stayed where he was, amber eyes trained on her face.

“I should have told you this initially.”

“You are married.” She tried to joke, but it came out as a paltry attempt.

Instead of addressing it, he went straight to the point. He had spent the entire afternoon questioning the wisdom of confronting Daley and wondered how he would tell her about his past. “I know him.”

A frown touched her brow as she stared at him for clarification.

“Daley. I know him.”

“I have no doubt that you do. He seems to be very popular.”

He shook his head. “I have known him since we were children. We grew up together.”

Her eyes widened as she stared at him in shock. “Pardon?”

“We grew up on the same street and attended the same school. We lived a few houses away from each other and became best friends.”

Shaking her head, she wondered if she was dreaming or if this was a cruel joke. “You are friends with that- that murdering bastard.”

“Was.” he firmed his lips and continued. “We both had difficult childhoods. My old man had left when I was little, and he was-” he spread his hands wide. “Suffice it to say that the senior Daley was a drunkard who wasn’t afraid to use his fists on both mother and son.