Absolute Silence

17

I tossed my things in my purse and left work early to freshen up and change before dinner. My bank attire was stuffy for an evening out, even if it was a business dinner. When the time came, I changed into a scoop-neck black sweater that revealed a touch of my shoulder on each side and a sleek pencil skirt in the perfect shade of red. I applied a matching shade of smudge-proof lipstick and twisted my hair up into a loose knot with a few tendrils hanging free. I felt sexy and confident while still maintaining a professional vibe. Trent confirmed that I’d hit my mark when his eyes bulged as I joined him inside Fiorino’s. “That’s it. I think you may have just turned me.” Trent’s gaze traveled down the length of me. I grinned, my cheeks heating. “You’re looking rather dashing yourself. Great pocket square.” “Oh my God, isn’t it great? It had the perfect tones of fuchsia and taupe for this tie. I couldn’t believe it when I found it.” He lifted his eyes from the neatly folded satin and paused, brows raised. “Nope, still gay, I guess.” We both burst into a fit of giggles. It was exactly what I needed. “Come on, let’s get our table. The others will be here soon.” He tugged me over to the hostess station, where we claimed our reservation. The two gentlemen representing our client joined us shortly after. Our conversation had a life of its own, evolving naturally from one topic to another, only stopping for brief interruptions by our server. When all eyes lifted to a presence behind me, I assumed the young waitstaff had simply come by to check on us. I was wrong. A rumbling, assertive voice addressed my companions from above me. “Excuse me, gentlemen. May I steal this lovely young woman for a moment?” Embarrassment and outrage colored my cheeks. What the hell was Filip doing here? Had he followed me again? Did he realize he was interrupting a business dinner? With each second that ticked by, my pulse rose until my heart tumbled over itself in a rush to leave my body. “No problem at all,” offered one of our clients. Trent’s eyes were as round as golf balls. “Please, excuse me,” I murmured, unable to find my voice. I slid back my chair and rose with a grace and ease that effectively concealed the chaos rioting inside my head. Filip placed his hand on my lower back and guided me to the back of the restaurant, where he ushered me into the women’s water closet and locked the door. The restroom wasn’t my ideal location for a confrontation, but at least it was relatively private. I spun around as soon as we were alone and glared at him. “What the hell are you doing here? And how did you even know where I was?” “Don’t look at me like I was stalking you. Your phone location services are on.” Ugh. My father had insisted on that ages ago. I’d completely forgotten. “My turn.” Filip took a single intimidating step forward. “Why the f**k are you ignoring me?” “I’d say it was obvious, considering how you left me tied to my bed.” His eyes narrowed to angry slits. “You were perfectly capable of getting free.” “A fact it took me thirty minutes of fear-induced panic to figure out.” His head lowered, and his hands came up to cup my face. “You’re right,” he murmured. “I was angry, and I lashed out. It won’t happen again. If it’s any consolation, I didn’t leave until I knew you’d freed yourself.” “What? How?” If he’d planted cameras in my apartment, I would run screaming straight to my father. A girl could only take so much. “Twentieth floor, master bath in the southeast corner of the building. I watched for the light to come on from my car.” Well, that wasn’t too stalkerish, and it assured me he hadn’t been totally heartless when he’d left, but it wasn’t enough. “How can I trust you when you hurt me like that?” Deep mocha eyes studied me beneath furrowed brows. “I’m sorry, Camilla,” he conceded quietly. “This arrangement has proved more complicated than I anticipated.” “Well, it’s not ideal for me either,” I murmured. “You don’t have to do it, you know. You could look the other way. No one has to know.” I peered up at him, drinking in his disarming features. While I’d asked for my freedom, I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted him to grant it. His commanding presence called to me in ways I hated to admit. “No.” His answer was resolute, resounding in its finality. “Then I need more from you. Better communication. More understanding. Otherwise, this isn’t going to work.” I spoke calmly but with a pleading tone in an attempt to make him understand how important this was to me. “I’m new to club life, and I get that I’m not supposed to expect a normal relationship, but our arrangement isn’t totally casual either. It’s complicated, and I can’t be punished for rules I was never made aware of.” Filip seemed to war with himself, a myriad of emotions crossing behind those calculating eyes. “I’ve already f****d up more times than I can count over the past two weeks. I don’t know what this is either, and I don’t handle that uncertainty well. I like to exercise control in my life, and with you, I’m f*****g helpless. I hate it, but I hate the thought of losing you more.” His thumb caressed a path over my cheek. “Give me another chance, Camilla.” I swallowed the heap of emotions lodged in my throat and nodded. How could I not? I knew precisely how unsettling our attachment had become. Some might say it was unhealthy, but I was messed up already. Why should I expect anything less? Filip dropped his hands, and his gaze traveled leisurely down my body, heating my skin just as thoroughly as any tangible caress. “Turn around,” he ordered gruffly. I paused only briefly before complying, the air in the room becoming dizzyingly thin.