His accent is stronger than I remember. There’s more gray at his temples, though it just makes him look more distinguished. His handsome face is achingly familiar, and my heart squeezes the longer I stare at him.
Until the anger washes over me, a reminder of how much this man hurt me.
“I haven’t forgot,” I bite out, every muscle in my body coiling tightly. I’m in fight-or-flight mode. I want to run.
I want to hit him.
I want to scream.
“I can’t believe I’ve run into you after all this time.” He shakes his head, a faint smile on his lips, as if this is such a fun coincidence. God, I despise him. “How are you?”
“Fine.”
“Why are you at this hotel? I thought you lived in New York.”
“I do.”
“Charlotte.” His voice softens, as does his expression. “Come on. Talk to me. You’re not still—mad, are you?”
“That you started a relationship with me when you had a girlfriend the entire time we were together? No. I’m not mad. Not at all.” The barista calls my name and I go to the counter to pick up my drink, offering a cheery thank-you to her before I turn to face the man who has haunted my dreams for far too long with a scowl. “Your timing is impeccable.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I’m getting married. Today.”
His gaze drops to my hand, no doubt spotting the giant diamond on my finger. “I heard about that.”
What in the world? “How? I haven’t spoken to you in over a year, Seamus. Yet you heard about me getting married? How can I believe anything that comes out of your mouth? All you ever did was lie to me. Our entire relationship was based on a lie. You’re not worth my time. I’ve got more important things to take care of today.”
“Come on, Charlotte. Was I that easy to forget? I don’t think so.” He grabs my arm, pulling me to him, his voice low. “You returned to the States and hid away in your family’s apartment, never to be seen or heard from again.”
“That’s not true.”
“Oh right. Let’s not forget your debutante ball, where you looked downright feral the entire evening, snarling at anyone who came too close,” he says.
How would he know that? A few society pages mentioned that very fact, but he was in Paris while I was here. Or maybe he returned to Ireland. I have no clue what happened to him after I left.
Why would he care what I was doing?
He lied to me. He loved someone else.
Not me.
“You missed me,” he says with a smug smile. “That’s why you hid away from the world.”
“Because you hurt me, you asshole,” I bite out. “I was only nineteen. You broke my heart.”
“You were in love with me.”
“You wish.” I try to jerk out of his hold but he tightens his grip.
“You were. You’ve never dated anyone again. And now suddenly you’re getting married?”
Unease slips through me at his words and I glare at him.
“Have you been keeping tabs on me?” I try my best not to let my fear show, keeping my expression impassive, my stance casual. When all I want to do is bolt.
He finally lets go of my arm and I rub it absently, wishing he’d never touched me.
I can literally still smell Perry on my skin. I hate that Seamus just had his hands on me, even if it didn’t mean anything.
“What can I say? You left an impression on me. And it’s always smart to keep track of a Lancaster.” He grins, the bastard.
I take a step back, needing the distance. “You’re nothing but a stalker.”
He chuckles. “No, I am someone who recognizes an asset when I see one. I just didn’t realize someone else had a plan and moved in faster than me to acquire said asset.”
“What are you talking about?” He’s talking in circles and my tired brain doesn’t get it.
“As if you don’t know. Your impending wedding to a Constantine? I know a setup when I see one.”
All the blood in my body seems to drain into my feet, leaving me lightheaded. God, how did he know? “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I’m not stupid.” His expression shifts, morphing into the charming man I remember who swept me off my feet. “You should give me another chance, Charlotte. I know you believe I betrayed you, but I didn’t know how to tell you about my girlfriend—who I broke up with after you left, just so you know.”
I shake my head, hating how easily he gave up on her as well, which makes no sense. “You lied to me.”
“And I’m sorry.”
“You told me I was the only one.” He did. He promised me that, but I was referring to the other girls in class. The ones who stared at him just as hungrily as I did. “I felt special. Like you chose me over everyone else.”
“I did. I still do.” He pauses. “Choose you.”
I shake my head. “I don’t want you. Not anymore.”
Not ever.
“It’s only been a year,” he reminds me. “We weren’t together long, but it was intense. Special. No one makes me feel like you do, Charlotte.”
His deep, lyrical voice sounds so sincere, but I know better now.
“I’m not that same, stupid girl any longer. I won’t be fooled by you again.” His words, that pleading look on his face don’t matter. “Forget about me, Seamus. I’m getting married today.”
“What if I told you that your fiancé isn’t what he seems? That he comes from a family who will stop at nothing to destroy whoever gets in their way? Do you want to be a part of something like that?”
His words don’t surprise me at all. I know the Constantines are ruthless, not that Perry ever acts that way—toward me, at least. Winston? Oh yes. Definitely. Their mother?
Caroline Constantine probably sends people to their death on a regular basis.
But I wouldn’t put my father past doing something like that either. Or my brothers. They’re all terrible.
“My family is no better,” I admit, which is the truth.
“You’re used to that kind of treatment, then.” He says it as a statement, not a question.
“I am. And I’m perfectly okay with it.”
“Really?” He lifts a brow, reminding me of Perry.
No. I shouldn’t think that. This man is nothing like my Perry.
“You’d fit in with my family perfectly.” His smile is slow, his dark eyes sparkling with an unfamiliar emotion.
I take another step back. “I’m not interested.”
“You should be.” He takes a step forward, looming over me like a dark cloud. “Don’t you know who I am?”
“No, remember? You never told me.”
His chuckle is deep. Edged with meanness. He grabs hold of my arm again, making me gasp as he hauls me into him. “I’m related to the Morellis, Charlotte. On the mother’s side.”
Oh God.
“But your last name isn’t Morelli,” I whisper. “It’s McTiernan.”
No wonder Lucian reminded me of someone. He reminded me of Seamus.
The man I met in Paris when I was nineteen and so incredibly immature and completely sheltered. I was looking for someone to rebel with and he fit the bill perfectly. So much older than me. Darkly handsome. I fell for every line this man told me. He seduced me in class. After class. In his office. He flirted with an effortless charm I found captivating. He got me into his bed quickly, and I willingly gave up my virginity to him. Like a complete idiot.