Stay With Me by Maya Banks Read Free Book Online

empty chair across from her. The waiter appeared, and Rhys ordered coffee and breakfast.
    “You’re not eating,” he said as he stared at her simple glass of juice.
    “I wasn’t hungry.”
    He looked down then lifted his gaze to the distant waves. The breeze ruffled his dark hair, and she studied the lines around his eyes and firm mouth. Those lines weren’t there five years ago. Back then he’d always had a ready smile, teasing and fun.
    The light had gone out of his green eyes. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen joy reflected in their depths.
    She blinked when he caught her studying him.
    “I was worried, Cat,” he said quietly.
    She shrugged again, unsure of how else to react.
    Anger fired in his eyes, surprising her. Emotion. Apparently he was still capable of it, even if it was only anger.
    “You didn’t used to be so flip,” he accused. “God, Cat, I thought you’d walked out on us.”
    She eyed him calmly, though beneath the surface she seethed like a cauldron. “What makes you think I haven’t walked out?”
    His eyes narrowed, and his lips tightened.
    “Why should I stay, Rhy?” she asked quietly. “Give me one reason I shouldn’t leave.”
    “I love you,” he growled. “That should damn well be reason enough.”
    She smiled sadly then sat back, bringing the glass of juice to her lips. She took a small sip then pulled it away from her mouth, letting it dangle in front of her vision, something to focus on.
    She glanced up at him. “Do you remember what it was like before we got married?”
    His brows drew together in confusion. She ignored him and went on.
    “Us three sharing a one-bedroom apartment, eating beans and franks, stocking up on ramen noodles because it was all we could afford. The foot rubs you used to give me when I came home from a double shift at the diner.”
    She stared dreamily off into the distance as those memories wrapped her in their warm embrace.
    Rhys made a sound of impatience. “I try not to remember those days.”
    She jerked her gaze back to him to see a deep scowl marring his features. “Why?”
    “Because we had nothing,” he gritted out. “Logan and I couldn’t take care of you. You worked too damn hard to support our start-up efforts.”
    She smiled gently. “And what do we have now?”
    “We have money,” he said bluntly. “We have a nice place to live, the best food to eat. You don’t have to work yourself ragged.”
    “I’m not happy,” she said, being equally blunt.
    He looked at her in shock, his cheeks losing their color.
    “I haven’t been happy in a long time. Too long,” she amended.
    “Why?” he asked in a voice that cracked.
    Her hand shook as she lowered the glass back to the table. “You don’t love me,” she said softly. “You don’t even know I exist half the time unless it’s to call me and say you can’t make dinner or you’re leaving on a last-minute business trip.”
    “We love you, Catherine, and we’re not letting you go without a fight,” Logan said in a grim voice.
    She looked up to see him standing a few feet away, partially obscured by the greenery. He stepped forward, his face creased with determination. The waiter, ever solicitous, appeared with another chair that he hastily shoved up to the table. A second waiter appeared to deliver Rhys’ food as Logan took his seat. He waved off a menu and ordered coffee.
    “How much did you overhear?” she asked quietly.
    “Everything,” Logan bit out. “Every single ridiculous part.”
    She raised one eyebrow. “How like you to discount my feelings,” she murmured. “God knows you’ve had enough practice.”
    Logan shifted impatiently. “Look, baby, I’m sorry we missed our anniversary dinner, and I’m sorry we cancelled the trip. Sorrier than you know. If there was any way I could have avoided it, believe me I would have.”
    She held her hand up, refusing to be swayed by those dark eyes caressing her, his tone low and