Page 67 of The Substitute Fiancée

“And here I was, afraid of bothering you.”

“Never,” I murmur, holding her tighter.

She pulls back slightly, studying me as if gauging my sincerity. Her smile fades.

“Why didn’t you tell me anything? Mara’s the one who told us about the rumors.”

I sigh and run a hand through my hair.

“I didn’t want to burden you with my problems.” I thought distance would protect you.

Sam’s expression closes off. She slips from my arms and walks toward the window, her back to me.

“Except you still burdened me, just without meaning to.”

Her voice is calm, but I can hear the hurt beneath it.

“I knew something was wrong,” she continues. “I just didn’t know what. I thought you regretted… us. That you needed space. That I was too…”

Her voice breaks slightly.

My heart tightens. Suddenly, I understand all the scenarios that must have played out in her mind during those days of silence.

“Sam, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”

She turns back to me, eyes shining.

“We’re together, Alexander. That means I want to be there when things go wrong. Not just for the good moments.”

I step toward her and place my hands on her shoulders.

“You’re right. I was wrong. I thought I was protecting you.”

“I’m not fragile,” she says softly. “I can handle your bad days. But I can’t be kept at a distance.”

I pull her into my arms and bury my face in her hair.

“I hear you. I promise I’ll do better next time.” I mean it.

She stays against me for a moment, then pulls back slightly and looks me straight in the eyes.

“Good. Now you’re coming with me. You look like a zombie.”

“I still have work—”

“Which can wait until tomorrow,” she cuts in. “Come on.”

She drags me out of the office, orders takeout on her phone, and once we’re back at my place, literally pushes me toward the bathroom.

“Shower. Now.”

“Come with me,” I say with a tired smile. “Just for the shower. I’m too drained for anything else.”

She agrees with a sideways smile.

But the little menace has other ideas. Under the hot water, her hands slide over my skin—soothing at first, then provocative. She does exactly what’s needed to clear my head of everything else. Methodically. Effectively.

When we finally return from the bathroom much later, dressed in comfortable clothes, Sam reheats the food she ordered. We eat in a comfortable silence.