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

first time in his life, and he found himself sinking onto the bench in the hall. He was a selfish piece of shit. That was what he was. The whole freaking morning had been full of revelations, what he liked in a woman, what he didn’t, what he demanded and expected. He wanted perfection, and Haley had given it to him at who knew what cost to herself, and he had decided that he was bored with it! Warren was furious with himself and with Haley. What she had done was terribly unhealthy, and he thought he now understood her statement about him not understanding, and why she had done it. And he had hurt her and fucked himself in the process. It was too convoluted, and he didn’t like the way it made him feel. With an enormous emotional effort, Warren tucked his epiphany and all accompanying emotions away in a dark, safe place and pulled himself together, right back to the old, familiar Warren. Madeline was watching him narrowly.
    “No, she wasn’t ill, Madeline. Miss Haley has made the choice to leave. I have a plane to catch, so kindly take care of things while I am gone.”
    Madeline nodded and plodded away. Warren could have sworn he heard her mutter something about stupid men, but dismissed it. The two women in his life were turning into people he didn’t recognize. Well, make that one woman. Madeline wouldn’t leave him, and she would be her usual self in no time. He needed to get to New York and take care of business. When he returned, he would set about finding a replacement for Haley. It was best that he closed that door on this chapter in his life. He didn’t need such turmoil. Madeline could clear her things away and pack them up before he returned, and hopefully she could get an address to send them to. It was nonsense that Haley had left him wearing the same coat she had come to him in. Warren had no time to decipher that kind of statement, although he knew symbolism when it smacked him in the face. He was already pulling out his phone to direct his personal assistant to deposit twenty-five thousand dollars into Haley’s account. That was the amount he had told Haley he would settle on her when their relationship was terminated. Warren understood business. It comforted him. Like having Haley had comforted him. Shit.

Chapter Three
     
    Haley went to Gordon. She didn’t go because she didn’t have a lot of money or because she didn’t have other options. She went because Gordon was kind, compassionate, and seemed to understand Warren. Haley didn’t want Warren back. She wanted herself totally back. She wanted to really like herself again. Gordon would remember the previous Haley and probably help her. And she was correct in her choice. Gordon took one look at her and pulled her across the threshold and into his house, then into his arms where she cried until she soaked the fine material of his shirt.
    “I’m sorry, Gordon,” Haley finally managed to say. “I had to come. I know that he’s your friend and I’ve put you in a difficult position, but I had to. I need your help. You knew.”
    “Come and sit down, little one,” Gordon soothed. “I’ll make some tea. Here’s my handkerchief.”
    Haley huddled on the comfortable sofa in her comfortable old coat and wiped her tears away, blowing her nose with abandon. She actually felt the stress and strain of an entire year of pretending fall away. Well, not total pretense. Much of what she gave Warren was indeed Haley, but total perfection had cost her. Big time. If only her heart didn’t ache so.
    “Lemon or sugar, Haley?” asked Gordon as he set the tray down on the coffee table and sat beside her.
    “Black, Gordon, thank you.” Haley accepted a cup and drank the hot brew gratefully.
    “So, here you are,” he said. “Would you like me to hang up your coat?”
    Haley laughed. “It’s all I have on, Gordon. I left Warren with just what I had left after I went to him, I’m afraid.”
    Gordon’s face darkened. “He broke the terms of the