Chapter 39 Did you sleep with him?

Chapter 39 Did you sleep with him?
The moment quickly grew heated, and for an instant it felt so perfect—like the kind of closeness I thought I wanted. Yet deep inside, the spark wasn’t the same. It wasn’t what I felt with Marco. That realization pressed against me even as Robin’s excitement rose, his touch growing more insistent.

I let the warmth wash over me, but beneath it all, a quiet ache reminded me that my heart was elsewhere.

I placed my hand softly on his arm. “Robin… I don’t think I’m ready to go further,” I whispered. My voice trembled, but the truth steadied me. He paused, then nodded, his eyes warm with understanding.

He rested his chin on my hair, whispering, “I want you, but more than that—I want you to feel safe with me. I’ll wait as long as it takes.” He then kissed the top of my head softly. “You’re worth waiting for,” he murmured. “Every second.

I didn’t know when sleep had taken me, only that I woke to the alarm’s loud cry. Robin’s chest rose beneath me, steady and grounding. I lifted my head, meeting his gaze—still half-asleep, but watching me with a softness that made my heart ache.

“Good morning, stranger,” he murmured, his breath warm against my hair. The words were soft, almost affectionate, making me feel both safe and seen.

“If you don’t want to be late today, we’d better get busy,” I said, slipping out of bed and heading toward the bathroom. “I’ve got fresh towels and a new toothbrush—you can get ready here and just go home later for a change of clothes.”

Robin shook his head gently as he searched for his things. “No, I don’t want to invade your space further. I’ll see you at work. Lunch on me.”

He approached as he tugged on his shirt, leaned down, and pressed a quick kiss to my lips. “See you, beautiful,” he whispered, before slipping out the door.

I stood there for a moment, listening to the front door open and close, the sound echoing through the quiet apartment. Then I shook myself back into motion, quickly beginning to prepare for work. At least I didn’t have to pack a lunch today—one less problem to worry about.

Still, as I moved through the routine, my thoughts lingered on Robin. Things between us seemed promising… or do they? The warmth of his patience and the tenderness of last night were undeniable, yet a shadow of doubt pressed at the edges of my heart. I couldn’t tell if what I felt was real, or if I was simply clinging to comfort in the absence of Marco.

I ordered an Uber, and when the alert came that it was waiting downstairs, I hurried out. But as I stepped outside, I froze—Marco’s car was parked out front. He looked rough, as if he’d spent the night there. Stubborn, audacious, and clearly unraveling.

I ignored him and moved toward my ride, but before I could settle in, Marco stormed forward. He pulled a gun, waving it at my driver. “Leave now,” he snapped.

“What the hell, Marco?” I shouted, anger and fear colliding in my chest. “What right do you have? I told you to leave me alone!”

He ordered me into his car, insisting he’d drop me at work himself. My Uber sped off, leaving me stranded with no choice but to hesitate—and then climb in.

Before I could settle into the seat, his voice cut through the silence. “Did you sleep with him?”

I turned away, staring out the window. “It’s none of your business.”

Marco’s grip tightened on the wheel. “I’m going to tell you everything,” he said, his tone dark and determined. “Even if you don’t want to hear it—about my engagement.”

“Can we meet after work and you tell me about it?” I asked, my tone measured, trying to deflect. “I have to start my shift early today.”

Marco’s jaw tightened, his eyes fixed on me as though he could see through the excuse. The silence stretched, heavy with everything unsaid. I gripped the edge of the seat, wishing the conversation could dissolve into the hum of the engine. But Marco leaned closer, his voice low and unyielding.

“You can try to avoid it, but I’m not letting this go. You’ll hear me out—whether it’s after work or right now.” His voice was sharp, but beneath it I caught a flicker of desperation.

“Although you’ve obviously moved on,” Marco continued, “I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. And don’t think I owe you any explanation.”

His words hung in the air, heavy and contradictory—half confession, half defiance. I stared out the window, refusing to meet his gaze, but the tension pressed in from every angle.

We pulled up to the hospital, and as the car stopped I reached for the door handle, ready to escape. But Marco locked it, his hand brushing mine as he leaned toward the cab hole. Our eyes met—his gaze burning into me until I looked away. Gosh, I hated how much I wanted to kiss him right then. My blood surged, betraying me, reminding me of the hold he still had.

He reached into the compartment and pulled out a small key. Without a word, he placed it in my hand. I stared down at it, stunned. It wasn’t just any key—it was for one of the most luxurious apartments in New York. I immediately knew it cos of the branding.