My Exception (My Escort #2) by Kia Carrington-Russell Read Free Book Online

laughed, taking another mouthful.
    “So do you guys live together or…? What does a pretty boy like him call a home, a five-story palace, a house boat, or a batman cave?”
    “I wouldn’t know, I haven’t seen his apartment yet,” I paused at the wince Hayden pulled. “Is that bad?”
    After much hesitation he responded. “You have been dating for what, a little under a year? And he still hasn’t shown you his apartment; that screams out secretive to me. If a guy doesn’t want you seeing his home or stuff there is usually a reason for it. Are you sure he is as committed to this relationship as you are?”
    I looked at him in mortification. I grabbed my handbag, infuriated by his claim. Damon was secretive, but I didn’t doubt that he loved me or wanted to be in this relationship.
    “Woah, woah,” he stood quickly, stepping in front of me. “I’m sorry Clover, I didn’t mean to upset you. It was just a question.” Looking into his brown eyes, I knew he was being earnest. It wasn’t Hayden’s fault I was so rattled.
    “I know. I just want to go for now. I have things to think about. I will see you tomorrow at work,” I pushed Hayden aside. He showed little resistance, watching me as I left.
    Was there a reason why Damon hadn’t shown me his apartment? I felt vulnerable, like that first night when we got close and he left me.

Chapter Eleven

     
    T he drive home in the cab gave me plenty of time to think. I found myself sitting in my comfy couch for an hour or so when I got home, just thinking as Pudding snuggled up to me. I loved Damon, that much I knew for sure. I knew that he loved me as well. Yet when others questioned it, it wounded me. I felt irrational for how I felt because Damon hadn’t done anything wrong, and yet I felt myself brewing. It wasn’t secrecy; I had never asked why he hadn’t shown me his home. A few days ago was the first time I even thought of it. Perhaps there were things he didn’t want me to see.
    When I woke in the morning I tried to be positive about the situation. I couldn’t be irrational about it. We both had busy work schedules and I had claimed many times that his hectic one didn’t bother me. So I couldn’t justify being angry with him for not taking the time to give me a grand tour of his home. I loved Damon and that was all that should matter. Whether I saw his home or not shouldn’t be an issue. It was as if I were picking a fight with him, and I didn’t want that at all.
    As always I was at work early, but much to my surprise, Hayden was waiting out the front, as slickly attired as always. He waited outside the door while I paid the driver. As I went to open my door, Hayden opened it for me, offering me a hand. He was always well-mannered and chivalrous.
    “Good morning, Clover.” His voice was like velvet, yet husky at the same time. “I just wanted to see you early and to apologise for last night,” he continued as he helped me out of the cab.
    “Please don’t apologise. I was being unreasonable,” I had to admit. I was being unkind to my old friend. It was not his fault he asked the wrong question. Hayden’s hand was very different to Damon’s. It felt rougher to the touch. I retracted my hand as one of the co-workers walked past, glancing at us suspiciously.
    Hayden shot me a dashing smile. “Oh please, Clover. It is no crime for me to hold your hand,” he said, pressing his hand to my lower back as he escorted me into the building. “Time might have put distance between us, but you are still the same Clover I knew back in University. Such trivial things as idle gossip didn’t bother you back then,” he said with a smile. At my silence as we walked through the large doors, he retracted his touch. “I often think of those days. Do you know, I still go to that bar we used to always hang out at.”
    My face brightened as I thought of the memories. Although I mostly focused on my school, I too had my fun. “Really, is it still the same?”
    A