Chapter 26

VALERIAN

Valerian had made his way to Je T’aime, his heart aching for a glimpse of Hailey. He’d been missing her like crazy.

His eyes swept over the room, but she was nowhere to be found.

“Would you prefer to sit outside, Valerian?”

“Sure,” he responded, his mind elsewhere.

He hadn’t anticipated seeing Hailey outside, laughing with another guy. And to add insult to injury, she acted as if she hadn’t even noticed him.

“Isn’t that Hailey over there?” Colhane asked, his gaze following Valerian’s. He noticed a flicker in her eyes, a sign that she might have heard them.

He hoped she had, hoping it would make her squirm. But she didn’t. Instead, she continued to laugh with the guy at her table.

His heart clenched when he saw the guy feed her a piece of cake.

After an agonizing hour, her “friend” finally left and she returned to their table.

He watched her, his heart aching. She was breathtaking. Then Roland called her over, and he couldn’t help but wonder what he wanted.

When Roland implied that she was a whore during dessert, Valerian felt his blood boil.

He couldn’t stand it any longer. He didn’t know what had come over him. He stood up abruptly, calling the whole thing off.

“I’ll take care of the bill,” Colhane offered, standing up as well.

“Fine.” He grabbed Hailey’s hand and pulled her away from the table. He felt eyes on him, but no one dared to stop him.

Once they were outside, he released her hand and turned to face her. “Who the fuck was that guy, Hailey?”

“That’s none of your business, sir!” She looked away, clearly not planning on answering his question.

“So, you’re just going to pretend we never slept together?”

She looked taken aback. “Keep your voice down. People will hear you.”

“Finally, a reaction. Why are you acting so distant?”

“I’m not. I’m just your employee.”

“That’s bullshit, Hailey. You weren’t saying that when you were moaning my name in France, were you?”

“Okay, fine. We slept together. What do you want from me now? A confession?”

“No, Hailey. I want to get to know you better. It wasn’t just about sex for me.”

“Well, it was for me, sir.”

“Stop it, Hailey! You think I didn’t know that was your first time?”

“So what if it was? There’s more where that came from.”

Something snapped inside Valerian and he pulled her into a passionate kiss, releasing all the pent-up desire he’d been holding back.

He felt her resist, but he didn’t let go. He could feel her heart pounding against his chest.

When he finally released her, she slapped him across the face, and he just stared at her in shock.

“You can’t just kiss me whenever you feel like it, you jerk!”

“Why couldn’t you stand up for yourself like that earlier?”

“Because he’s a customer!”

“So, you’d let him treat you like that?”

“I was handling it just fine before you decided to play hero, sir.”

He ran his hands through his hair in frustration. “Are you dating him?”

“I already told you, it’s none—”

“I’m not in the mood for this shit! Just answer the question. Yes or no.”

“Not yet,” she finally admitted.

“What the hell does that mean?”

“He hasn’t asked me out yet, sir,” she replied, a sweet smile on her face.

“So, you’re actually considering him as an option, Hailey?”

“Yes.”

“Where did you meet him?”

“In the Maldives.”

Suddenly, it all clicked. He was the guy she’d met there, the one who’d kept her company. “How did he find you?”

“I don’t know. He has his ways, I guess. I did tell him where I work, so maybe that’s how.”

“So, you’ve wanted him since then?”

“No, he was just a friend back then. He still is, but I don’t know what the future holds.”

“Did I do something to hurt you, Hailey?”

“No, sir. Why do you ask?”

“You sure have a knack for playing dumb.”

“I’ve had a good teacher, haven’t I?”

“Seriously, Hailey? Unbelievable.”

She just blinked, not uttering a word.

“Want me to give you a ride home?”

“No need. Matt’s got that covered.”

He was about to argue when Colhane stepped out. He glanced at both of them. “I’ll be in the car.”

“Alright,” Valerian replied.

“See you, Hailey. Look after yourself.”

“See you, Colhane.” She gave him a wave.

She turned her gaze back to Valerian. “Anything else you want to add, sir?”

“We’re not done talking, Hailey,” he declared. Then he turned on his heel and walked away.