Near Perfection [Aspire 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Read Online Free

that he saw it in Haley’s eyes, although he had seen it in the eyes of his other women and it had not really affected him. Warren knew he would have to brace himself for the tears and recriminations that would inevitably follow should he have to tell Haley their relationship was over when he returned from New York. He found he regretted the thought, but for her sake, not his own.
    “Tell me the truth, Warren,” Haley said quietly.
    Warren nearly tipped right back in his chair. He couldn’t have been more surprised if she had reached out and slapped him. Haley wasn’t reacting like his other women. They pretended, and became upset, and hung on until he released them. He was reading something in this sub he had never seen before and hadn’t expected. He didn’t like this kind of confrontation unless he was the one doing the confronting. Haley never questioned him, never challenged him. Those women who did were released immediately. Warren wanted to remind her of her place and tell her to go to his room for correction, but something stopped him. He found he wanted to continue this conversation and see where it led. However, once he set a course, he never deviated.
    “I need to think about us, this relationship, Haley,” he said evenly. “I find myself questioning things, and I feel uneasy. You should know that there is a possibility that I will release you from our contract when I return from New York.”
    He hesitated and then added, “There is the honesty you requested.”
    Warren waited for Haley to become emotional, and suddenly wished he had simply gone to New York to think things through as he had originally planned and not given her any idea of what he was thinking. Damn her. She had made him speak before he had time to weigh his words.
    The blood drained from Haley’s face, and for a moment, Warren thought she might faint, and he pushed back from the table to get up and reach for her, but she raised a hand and gestured for him to remain sitting.
    “Thank you, Warren. I won’t be here when you return. We can either sign a termination of the contract or tear up the one we have.” Haley stood and placed her napkin on the table.
    Warren couldn’t find words. He had just told her that he needed time to think. He hadn’t totally committed to releasing her. No woman had left him before. It totally discomfited him, and he heard himself lash out like a bad-tempered child.
    “If that is your wish, Haley, by all means. I will honor the terms of the contract. I’ll deposit the money into your account by the end of today, and Madeline will help you pack your things.”
    The latter slur was unmistakable. Warren had just inferred that Haley might take items that she mistakenly thought belonged to her, and he found himself wishing he could take the words back. That had been unforgivable.
    “Stick your money and your things up your tight ass, Warren. You are a totally ignorant boor and an asshole to boot,” he heard Haley reply, to his total astonishment, and his regret vanished. Haley was a lady and never, ever, used crass words or epithets. Ladylike behaviour was one of the things he expected from his women. When she continued in the same vein, he thought his cock would beat its way out of his zipper. Where had this side of Haley been hiding?
    “I didn’t fuck you for money or for things. But then you wouldn’t know anything different. You don’t let yourself feel because that would be taking a risk. You’re a coward,” Haley said and then turned to stalk into the house.
    Warren sat, as though glued to his chair, staring after her for several minutes. He tried to eat his breakfast and ignore his confusion. He just wanted to pretend nothing had happened. He found that he couldn’t think, couldn’t process what had just taken place. Haley had quit her job, at his request, when she had moved in with him. He knew she didn’t have much money saved. He didn’t like money-grabbing women, and Haley never asked