Sophie Oak - Siren in Bloom

It was better this way. Everything would be aboveboard.

She didn’t turn, merely stared out the window. “I’m not getting a divorce, Leo.”

“What? Shelley, Bryce is dangerous. Something is going on with him. I don’t know what it is yet, but I will find out.”

Now she turned, and there was a cold look on her face. “Don’t. Leave him alone, Leo. I’m not one of your patients. Stay out of my marriage.”

“Did he say something to you?” Had Bryce threatened her? “He can’t hurt you.”

“He has never raised a hand to me, Leo. Get that through your head. You’re seeing what you want to see. You’re a good-looking man. I can’t help but be attracted to you, but I’m not going to ruin my marriage over what would only be a short-term fling. We’re from two different worlds.”

“Are you telling me you want to stay with Bryce?” He couldn’t believe it. Bryce was a douchebag, and Leo was pretty sure he was involved in something criminal.

“Is that so surprising? I married him.”

“Do you love him?” He searched her face. It was as blank as a doll’s.

“That doesn’t matter, Leo. I have to live in this town. I’m not leaving here. Bryce and I make sense. I like our life. I’m certainly not going to give it up. What could you offer me? Do you want me to live at a BDSM club? I can’t do that.”

He felt like she’d punched a hole straight through his chest and ripped his fucking heart out of his body. This was about money? This was about lifestyle? She didn’t want him because he worked in a club? “I guess you’re right. I can’t offer you what Bryce can. Bryce is rich.”

She nodded. “Yes, he is. I have a big house and the respect of everyone in the community.”

He doubted that. Oh, the house was big enough, but he’d heard rumors about Bryce’s infidelity. He would bet there were a lot of people in this tiny piece-of-crap town who felt sorry for her. But if this was what she wanted, who the fuck was he to take it from her? After all, he was an idiot with a PhD who worked in a BDSM club.

He took a deep breath, seeking that place where he found peace. He’d learned long ago to let go of the things he couldn’t control. He couldn’t force Shelley McNamara to love him. Hughes. He had to start thinking of her that way. She was Bryce Hughes’s wife. And that was right where she wanted to be.

“I wish you well. Please let your brother know I’m always here for him.” He let the real meaning lie there between them. He would always be there for Trev McNamara, but they were done. He wouldn’t take her phone calls. He wouldn’t answer her e-mails. He was through.

She nodded and turned back to the window, dismissing him utterly.

Leo walked out of the room, a coldness settling around his heart. He wouldn’t try again. He’d been wrong to try this time. He would go home and do what he did best—help others find peace and happiness.

There was neither in the world for him.

The minute the door closed behind her, Shelley broke down. She thrust her fist over her mouth to muffle the sound, or the sob would have echoed through the house, giving away the game she was playing.

She’d lied. God, she’d lied about everything.

Tears coursed down her face.

She wanted to run after him, to beg him to stay, to take her away with him. She’d never loved anyone the way she loved Leo Meyer. She’d known it the minute she’d met him.

And she loved him enough to keep him alive.

Bryce was a monster. She knew that now. She could still feel his hand punching her gut. He’d laughed when she’d fallen to the floor and explained that he wouldn’t touch her face because it was too pretty. He needed a pretty wife since she’d been useless in every other way.

And he’d explained that he would kill Leo Meyer if he caught her even thinking about him again.

Shelley let herself sink to the floor.

She’d done what she had to do.

Dallas, TX

14 months later

“No. Absolutely not. Can’t you see this is a very bad idea, Julian?” Leo Meyer looked at his boss trying to convey his deep belief that impending fatherhood was obviously affecting Julian’s brain. Ever since Danielle Lodge-Taylor had announced her pregnancy six months before, Julian’s brain had gone soft, and his current request was merely proof that the situation was getting worse.

Julian looked up from the papers he was studying, that single eyebrow arching. Leo could tell a lot from his boss’s eyebrow. Where most people wore their expressions on their mouths or their eyes, Julian was all about that single arching brow. This particular time, that brow told Leo that Julian was getting frustrated with his stubbornness.

“She’s merely put in a simple request, Leo.”

There was nothing at all simple about Shelley Hughes. “I thought you hired Mrs. Hughes to redecorate the penthouse. Not to play around in The Club.”

Julian leaned back, a frown on his hawklike face. Despite his money and privilege, Julian had come up the hard way. Leo had made a long study of his boss, but the last few years had shown a deep and abiding change in Julian Lodge. Loving Danielle and his partner, Finn, building a life with them, had turned Julian into a meddling, old matchmaker. “You know The Club is a place for exploration, Leo. I am a bit shocked that you think I would turn down a woman in need.”

Leo felt his jaw drop open. Julian didn’t run a soup kitchen. He ran a BDSM club and a ridiculously exclusive one at that. “She’s not a member of this club. Have you started a pro bono fund? Because I don’t think Mrs. Hughes can afford the membership fee.”

Julian’s eyes rolled. “Good lord you’re transparent, Leo. She’s not married anymore. And she’s taken her maiden name again.”

He was deeply aware of that. Her husband, Bryce Hughes, had been killed a year before. Did she still mourn him? She said no, but then she’d lied before. “Good for her. It doesn’t explain where she got the money to buy her way into this club.”

“Sometimes I allow people in for other reasons than simple money. Lexi couldn’t afford this club. Your new charge certainly can’t.”

Logan Green. He was coming in this morning. The big guy from Colorado had some serious problems according to Wolf, Leo’s brother. God. He had to deal with Wolf. The last thing he needed was Julian trying to force him together with Shelley. He’d let it go. He’d let her go. Why had she come to Dallas? She’d made herself plain enough that day at Aidan O’Malley’s ranch. She didn’t need anything Leo had to offer.

“Wolf thinks Logan needs this place,” Leo said absently.

“I think Shelley needs it.” Julian tapped a file folder in front of him. His desk sat in front of a large window with a spectacular view of the Dallas skyline. “I want you to be honest with me, Leo. I trust you, and if you tell me differently, then I will deny her request. I’m going to give you a scenario. A very smart woman, who happens to be related to a man I respect greatly, comes out of a very difficult marriage. She was used by her husband to cover his many crimes. She’s utterly disillusioned and heartsick. She watched the man she’d married be brutally murdered. She was taken hostage herself and was only saved by the actions of her brother. She’s been in a deep depression. Her husband was the only man she’s ever had a relationship with. She married young and never explored her own sexuality. She is obviously submissive, but has had no chance to discover this part of her personality. She is sweet and kind and I worry that if something doesn’t change for her, she will fade away. If you had no idea who I was speaking of, if you merely had these facts in front of you, what would you recommend?”