Page 43 of Deacon

‘Do I really have no chance?’

She wasn’t begging; she was too confident for that.

She was a fantastic woman, gorgeous as fuck and direct.

She was also smart, sizing up her chances and laying her cards on the table without drama.

I tilted my head, studied her, then dipped in and pressed my lips to hers for one last goodbye.

I tried conjuring up real emotions for her once more, but nothing happened.

I pulled away and held her gaze.

‘I don’t think so, but I’m gonna give you a call soon, OK?’

‘Don’t lie to me, rockstar,’ she murmured, smiling wryly as she stepped back. ‘Go sort out your heart and soul before you devastate any more women.’

I huffed.

‘I hear you and Nashami, thank you.’

‘If you get wind of any men like you on the market, let me know. It’s hard for a complicated woman like me, one who’s successful, famous, and with some brains, to find a true match.’

My lips quirked.

‘I’ll put the word out. And remember, Nashami, you’re an amazing woman. If it wasn’t for my situation, trust me, I’da gone for you, hard. But you deserve to be loved by a man who gives you everything, and I hope you find him one day.’

Tears misted her eyes.

‘Thank you Deacon. You really are an amazing man. I wish you the best love as well.’

With a chin lift, I got into the back of the Rolls.

The driver shut the door, settled behind the wheel, and drove off.

I sank into the plush leather seats as the sun broke over the Mediterranean horizon, guilt washing over me.

What the actual fuck was wrong with me?

We were divorced.

She belonged to someone else now.

Yet as the Costa del Sol lit up under the dawn sky in stunning hues of purple, gold, and pink, I was reminded again of my agonizing truth.

My soul remained locked away in Ana’s hands, always and forever hers.

The relentless afternoon sun beat down on the courtyard as Raff splashed around near the shallow steps.

I cut through the cool, clear water with long strokes, welcoming the burn as I tried to wash away any lingering guilt.

When I paused at the deep end, Raff launched a bright yellow inflated ball right at my face, laughing as I caught it mid-air.

‘Nice catch, Dad!’ he yelled, kicking his feet as he swam toward me.

‘You’re going to have to throw harder than that, kiddo,’ I said, laughing as I tossed it back.

My phone began buzzing from the lounge chair near the edge.