His Perfect Match by Elaine Overton Page A

but he didn’t. Liz wrapped the orange comforter closer around her body and realized his steady breathing was slowing down. “Don’t you dare fall asleep!” She shuffled over to the phone. “I’ll call security!”
    He rolled over to his back and folded his arms behind his head. “Good luck with that. I sign their paychecks, remember?”
    â€œQuite the little dictatorship you have built for yourself here.”
    â€œThank you. I’m happy with it.”
    â€œI’m not having sex with you, so you might as well leave now!”
    â€œWho said I wanted to have sex with you?”
    She frowned, slightly confused. “But you said—”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI figured…”
    â€œThat you were so damn irresistible I was overcome with passion and snuck in here to take advantage of you?”
    â€œSomething like that.”
    â€œDon’t flatter yourself.”
    â€œThen what was all that talk about how beautiful I am?”
    â€œYou are. But in the right light so are black widows, wouldn’t have sex with them either.”
    Ego deflated, Liz relaxed. In under five minutes he’d gone from calling her a fallen angel to a black widow. “If you don’t want sex, why are you here?”
    â€œI told you. I used to love to watch you sleep. Turns out, I still do.”
    Liz shook her head. Yep, he was drunk. She glanced at the clock and saw it was 3:04 a.m. “It is too damn early for this, Darius. Go to bed and I’ll do the same.”
    â€œI’ve been thinking about our conversation earlier.”
    She stood quietly waiting, but he said nothing further so she prompted. “And?”
    â€œWhy didn’t you try to reach me sooner? You said he was diagnosed at six and has been on the waiting list for over three years.”
    â€œI didn’t know where to find you.”
    â€œMy parents did.”
    â€œYour parents won’t talk to me. Mine neither.”
    Silence fell over the room as they both retreated to their private thoughts.
    Finally Liz broke it by continuing. “I hired a private detective a few months ago, and it took him a while but he found you and I called you as soon as he gave me the information.”
    â€œWho watches your son when you’re away like this?”
    â€œI’ve never been away like this, but my Aunt Dee lives with us.”
    Even in the dark she could see his wide smile. “How is Dee?”
    â€œContrary as ever.”
    â€œI remember her from when we were kids. Nice lady.”
    â€œShe’s been a godsend to me.”
    â€œI’m sure.”
    As another silence fell over the room, Liz realized she was probably not going to get rid of him anytime soon, so she took a seat on the opposite end of the bed.
    After sitting in silence for several minutes she thought he’d fallen asleep and considered moving to the only chair in the room for the rest of the night. He startled her when he suddenly spoke.
    â€œLiz…? Why Darren? Of all the men you could’ve chosen, why my brother?”
    â€œDon’t do this.”
    â€œI’ve asked myself that question a million times in a million different ways. I never found an answer.”
    â€œYou don’t want to dig up all this ancient history. It’s over. It’s done. We can’t go back, let it go.”
    â€œApparently it’s not over. You’re here. I’m here. I can feel your fear of me. It’s almost palpable. And you have reason to fear. There were days I wanted to kill you withmy bare hands. A part of me still wants to. So see? It’s not so ancient history after all.”
    â€œWhat do you want me to say, Darius? I never wanted to hurt you. That was never my intention.”
    â€œThen what was your intention, Liz? Did you think you running off with my brother would make me deliriously happy?”
    â€œI know I hurt you, but it wasn’t deliberate.”
    â€œSo