“Let me go,” I said, trying to tug my hand free.

“Let her go,” the stranger warned Sin but Sin refused to comply.

“I don’t know who you are but I don’t care. This is only a two person conversation and it doesn’t include you.” Sin’s eyes were fierce and I hated how his handsome face pulled at my heart.

Despite everything he had put me through I will loved him so deeply. I was mad and angry that I was so weak.

“I’m not leaving,” the stranger said, spoiling for a confrontation I didn’t want.

I had come here to talk to Sin and hopefully gather the courage to tell him about the baby but the more pressing issues was calming the already volatile situation.

I put myself between the two guys sizing each other up and faced the stranger.

“I appreciate your concern but I can handle this.” I refused to allow my feelings of inadequacy and anxiety knock me. It was important for me to show I was in control, that I could handle any situation, even one where the pain in my heart beat intensely for the man who no longer wanted me.

A baby would tie him to me forever. And that just made it worse. There would be no clean slate. He would always be in my life. Our child would remind me of him everyday. I took a steady breath as I held the stranger’s gaze.

“I’ll be inside, if you need anything,” he offered.

“Thank you,” I said. I was determined not to need anyone. And that included the man who stood behind me with his hand still firmly around my wrist.

The stranger disappeared inside but I was sure he would keep me in his sight.

“Who is he Taylor?” Sin asked, roughly.

I faced the man who my heart still beat for and swallowed at his nearness. I could still feel the attraction between his. It felt natural, instinctual.

“No one.”

He studied me. “Why are you here?”

“I…” The words I had planned to use to tell him he was going to become a father evaporated and I was left empty of all thoughts other than him.

When I didn’t answer, Sin released my wrist. My skin where he had touched me still felt the imprint of his hold.

“You followed me here?” he asked.

I had but I didn’t want him to know that. I shook my head.

“Then why are you here?” His eyes held mine, they still held the fierceness he had directed to the stranger.

“Is she here?” I found myself asking.

Is that what I truly come here to see? Had I wanted to glimpse of the two of them to drive home the fact that he no longer loved me and that whatever we had shared was over? Did I need that before I could tell him about the pregnancy?

“You don’t belong here Tay. Leave before you cause any trouble.” His tone was hard and unforgiving, so different from the possessive man I had witnessed only a few moments before.

“Are you worried I’ll make a scene?”

Was that what I was doing? Was I making it more difficult for him with his new girlfriend?

Was I that sad I couldn’t accept that things were over between us? Honestly, I wasn’t sure what had driven me here but I knew I would not leave until I saw them together, even if only briefly.

I needed that to destroy the love I still held for him. I needed it more than anything. To make it clear that this was not temporary and whatever future I had, it would not include the hopes and dreams that I had harbored with Sin.

Clearly, I needed this before I could figure out what to do next.

“The only person it will hurt is you Tay,” he said. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans and I studied the inked arms that had held me more nights than I could count.

I lifted my gaze back to meet his to search for something. Maybe I wanted to see if he felt anything for me. The speed at which he had moved on was hurtful and difficult to process. He still spun my world around and he couldn’t wait to get rid of me.

The pain my chest intensified.

Was that his way of reinforcing that he no longer felt anything for me, than perhaps pity?

“You can’t tell me what to do. And the sooner you learn that the better.” My spine straightened. I would not allow anyone to push me around, especially him.

Even if he chose to be a father to our child, I would ensure it would be on my terms. I would need that control to deal with any arrangement going forward.

“Whatever you think you will gain from being here, you’re wrong.” His ominous words struck at me.

“That’s not your decision, is it?” I threw back at him, feeling argumentative. Even if he was right.

Being here, seeing him with her would only make me feel worse. Was it worth it? I was undecided but I would not let him see any indecision.

“I need you to leave,” he said, trying another angle. This time his eyes were soft on mine, he almost seemed concerned.

“I don’t care what you need.” I crossed my arms and glared at him.

His eyes held mine and for a moment, just a glimmer, he almost looked hurt. But that wasn’t possible. He was the one who had cheated, he was the one who had looked outside of our relationship for fulfillment. I’m the one who hadn’t been enough.

There would be no escape from me, but he didn’t know that yet. And I couldn’t bring myself to tell him. I wasn’t strong enough to deal with his reaction.

It hurt to see him now. It hurt more to think of him with her.

“Leave Tay.”

And him asking me to go, intensified the hurt.

“I will do what I want and when I want,” I said, before I walked away from him.

I was determined not to look back to see his expression but I could feel his eyes on me.

Back inside the club it was loud and hot. I wanted to go home but I wouldn’t give Sin the satisfaction. I didn’t want him to think I had done what he wanted.

Maybe it was childish, I didn’t care.

I went to the bar and got a glass of water and downed it.

The stranger from before reappeared. “You okay?”

I nodded as I set the empty glass down. “I’m fine.”

“You get what you were looking for?” he asked.

I found myself studying the guy. He was extremely good looking, sure of himself, a confidence that only a few possessed. Sin had that.

I shook my head. I didn’t know why I was revealing this to guy whose name I didn’t even know.

“You guys have a bad break up?” he asked.

I shrugged. I didn’t want to reveal the reason why Sin and I were no longer together. It was almost admitting I hadn’t been enough to keep him and that was too difficult to face.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Why not?” he asked.

“You’re a stranger. Why would I reveal personal stuff to a complete stranger?”

“Kai, my name is Kai.”

“Taylor.”

“So I’m not a stranger anymore. What went down between the two of you?”

I shrugged. “He found someone else.” I said it more blasé than I felt.

“Than he is an idiot.” His intense gaze held mine. “And you’re better off without him.”

Maybe he was right. But why was I struggling to let go if that were true.

“I’m going home,” I said, feeling tired and hot.

“It was nice to meet you,” Kai said.

I gave him a brief nod before I turned and headed to the exit.

Sweat beaded down my body. I couldn’t wait to get outside to feel the coolness against my heated skin.

As I headed toward the exit I stopped to look around the club one more time. I don’t know why I did it but I found Sin. He was seated in an area just off the dance floor. He was in a group of people I didn’t recognize and beside him was the girl. The girl who had taken him from me.