Harlequin Romantic Suspense April 2021 by Karen Whiddon (good e books to read txt) 📗

A heaviness settled in her heart at having to admit that to him, but it was true. Her parents might’ve raised and provided for her, but them arguing all the time and then ultimately splitting up had created a wedge between them that Connie wasn’t sure how to fix.

“They divorced when I was a kid, but the last couple of years they were together weighed heavy on our family. My dad cheated on my mother, and our lives were never the same. When my sister and I were old enough to understand, he claimed he had only stepped out on my mother once. Still, my feelings about him didn’t change. He cheated, plain and simple. I never could wrap my brain around that. I’ll admit, my mother wasn’t the easiest person to get along with, but still. How is it that men cheat and think nothing of it?”

“Not all men step out on their women, Connie. I hope you know that.”

In her head, she knew it, but in her heart, she always feared that a man would one day cheat on her. Which was probably why she never let a relationship get that far, except for with Quincy.

“Did someone cheat on you? Is that why you won’t give you and I a chance?”

Connie stared at the television without really watching the show. Only Erica and Trinity knew about her dating fiascoes, and Connie wasn’t proud of the way she’d handled some situations.

“No one cheated. At least as far as I know, but one did betray me in a way that I still struggle to forgive.”

“What did he do to you?”

“He stole my job.”

Trace turned fully onto his side. Connie didn’t make eye contact, but she could feel the intensity of his stare. “How?”

“I landed a job as an analyst a few years before I joined Trinity at LEPA. Quincy, the guy I was dating at the time, worked for the same company. He actually reported to me.”

“I assume this story has something to do with why you don’t date coworkers now.”

“It has everything to do with that rule. Anyway, he and I were together for almost a year before getting engaged.”

“Engaged?”

“Yep. Which was probably why his betrayal hurt so much. I was interested in the director’s position. I had experience. I had been with the company for five years, and I had a ton of ideas. Ideas that I had planned to implement if I landed the job. My supervisor told me about the position even before it had been posted.

“I shared that information with Quincy. Hell, I shared everything with him. My life dreams, work ideas, secrets—you name it, he knew every damn thing about me, including my weaknesses,” Connie said from between gritted teeth.

Trace ran his hand up and down her hip as she pulled herself together. She hadn’t realized how loud she had gotten, but every time she thought about Quincy, she wanted to scream. Or punch something.

“I was in love for the first time in my life,” Connie continued.

The sudden bout of anger simmering in her gut was quickly building up steam. She and Quincy had happened so many years ago, but discussing him was bringing back those bad memories.

“I trusted him. I never knew I was capable of trusting until he came along. I also never knew that I could hate someone as much as I hated him after what he did to me. I vowed ‘never again.’ Never would I allow myself to be that vulnerable.”

“What exactly happened?”

“Once the job was posted, I applied. I never knew Quincy was even interested in the position or that he had applied for it. At least not until he got the job.”

“Wait. You didn’t know he interviewed for the position?”

“Nope. I didn’t know anything. It worked out that I was traveling for the company and had been on the road a few weeks. I even had my interview over the telephone. Not once did Quincy mention anything about him or the position, and it wasn’t like management shared who all had applied.”

“Damn. That had to be awkward once you did find out.”

“Let’s just say that he’s probably still trying to put a new wardrobe together.”

Trace chuckled.

Connie could laugh at the situation now, but back then, she had been livid, hurt and devastated. She never knew she could get so angry or could hate someone so much. She and Quincy had been living together at the time, and she was glad the apartment had only been in his name. After destroying all his clothes and a few of his personal items, she packed her stuff and moved out.

“So because of that asshole, you won’t give another brother a chance,” Trace said. “If I ever run into the guy, I’m kickin’ his ass.”

Connie smiled at the conviction in his statement. “Don’t. It was a long time ago, and he’s not worth you ending up in jail.”

“Yeah, but it would feel good to do some damage to his face for hurting you.”

Connie yawned again and her eyes grew heavy. “And I probably wouldn’t stop you.”

It warmed her heart, knowing that Trace would come to her rescue and help fight her battles if needed. He was such a sweetheart, and Connie loved having him in her life. What if she allowed him to get closer? Would he continue being the amazing man he was proving to be? Or would he turn into another Quincy—just out to get what he could get from her?

CHAPTER 10

As they drove to the sandwich shop near the office the next day, Connie couldn’t help but smile. It was Saturday afternoon, and she and Trace had spent the morning continuing to get to know each other. As promised, she prepared a huge breakfast, and they’d played Twenty Questions again.

She had never been good at sharing personal information, but Trace had a way of making her want to tell him everything about her. Despite the ice-cream-shop