A coward

Dave's POV

I stared at her, breathing a little too hard. One thought kept circling through my mind. I kept pretending.

I knew I shouldn't have climbed into her bed, shouldn't have let her hold me like that, touch me like she did, but as much as I played innocent, I knew I wanted it too.

She watched me silently, her eyes searching my face, a little scared. Her hands tightened around my arms.

"Dave," she called, her voice trembling.

I wondered what would hurt her more, rejecting her at this moment, or her finding out I caused her parents' death. I clenched my jaw and looked away.

She pulled me back immediately. "If you leave now, I'll never forgive you," she gritted out.

I shut my eyes for a second and pulled away from the bed. Celine sat up instantly, her eyes turning glassy, but I ignored it.

"This never happened," I said firmly, and walked out of her room, slamming the door shut.

I practically ran to my room and bolted to the bathroom. Cold water poured over my body, my breath hitching as I slammed my palms against the wall, groaning hard.

Fuck.

Her touch lingered in my head, my body craving it so badly that I found myself recalling every bit of it. My body grew hotter and I turned up the shower.

It wasn't enough to help me calm down.

—

I looked over the report Alfred had sent from Besley on the Sawyer company. It seemed like some old men were trying to overthrow the chairman's seat.

"Have the cops deal with them instead," I instructed Jeff, who nodded.

I handed the report back to him and my eyes darted to Celine's room. Was she still asleep? I checked my watch — it was already past eight.

"What time does her class start today?" I asked.

"Eight," Jeff answered quickly.

I had him memorize everything about her schedule.

Maybe she had already snuck out, I thought, and got up to check. The door opened at the same time and I was forced to freeze. Celine walked out of the room, dressed in a skirt that barely covered her thighs and a lace top, a black jacket draped lazily over her shoulders.

Her heels clicked firmly against the floor and her sharp gaze moved past me.

I paused for a second to take in her outfit. It seemed intentional, she was trying to provoke me.

"Did you upset her again, Boss?" Jeff's voice broke through my thoughts.

I rubbed my temple, my face tightening a little, and moved to stop her from walking out. "Where are you going?" My voice came out firm.

I didn't want to upset her, but there was no way I was letting her dress so provocatively out there, especially around the boy she called her boyfriend.

Her glare snapped up, cutting like a sharp knife. "School," she said, wrenching out of my grip and trying to leave, but I stopped her again.

"You wore this for your idiot boyfriend?" I couldn't help my jealousy.

She snarled at me. "At least he wouldn't be a coward who ran off halfway through a kiss," Celine lashed out, and pushed past me.

I grunted, swallowing hard. She hates me more now.

"You must have really pissed her off, Boss," Jeff commented.

I turned to him with a hard sigh. "What did you find out about the boy?" I asked.

He was about to reply when I suddenly heard the sound of a motorbike. A frown crept onto my face and I hurried outside immediately. The boy handed Celine a helmet and she climbed onto the back of the bike.

She flicked her gaze to me as she put on the helmet, then turned to hold Max, resting against him comfortably, her eyes never leaving mine, clearly taunting me. I clenched my jaw slowly, watching the bike speed off.

"Get the car," I ordered.

Jeff moved fast. In a moment, my car was trailing behind.

—

Celine's POV

Max stopped in front of the campus gate and I quickly got down, knowing Dave was right behind us. I walked to the security guard and whispered into his ear. Then I walked back to Max, who had parked the bike.

Dave's car appeared almost immediately. I let out a wide smirk and pulled Max along.

He reached the gate and tried to walk in, but the guard stopped him. "I need ID," he demanded.

I could imagine the anger and frustration on Dave's face. This was Atlantic City, there was no way he would reveal his identity as Dave Montessori. I looked back, ready to mock him, when I saw him walking through the gate.

What the hell?! How did he get in?

I clung to Max and hurried up the stairs to escape Dave. Then his phone rang, he stopped and stared at it for a second. His eyes flicked up at me before he picked up.

Then he turned around abruptly and started to leave.

I halted and watched with gritted teeth. What important thing got his attention? Was it Sabrina? I couldn't help but get curious, and riled up.

"Celine," Max's voice came like a startle.

I almost forgot about him. "Huh?"

He let go of my hand, looking forlorn. "Is there something you're not telling me?" he asked.

I parted my lips, but shut them again.

"Who exactly is that man?" he asked again. "He doesn't seem like a delusional old man."

I gulped, reluctant to reveal my relationship with Dave. But I didn't want to lie to Max either, he liked me. And whatever I was doing with Dave was unfair to him.

Before I could settle on an answer, someone else answered.

"I'm her uncle." Dave's voice sounded dangerous.

I turned around and found him standing a short distance behind me. My breath caught, and I watched him step closer. He stopped beside me and grabbed my hand, pulling me close to himself.

"Dave Montessori, ring a bell?" he asked, his icy stare fixed on Max.

I watched Max whimper instantly. A frown crossed my face as I lifted my eyes to Dave, astounded that he would reveal his identity so carelessly.

"Max…" I stretched my hand out to him to calm him down, but he backed away fast.

Fear gripped his expression, he stepped back again and almost tripped. I clenched my jaw and swallowed, the same reaction as every boy who had found out Dave Montessori was my uncle.

I gritted my teeth and turned to Dave, ready to lash out at him.