Donovan Jones scrambled through the house after Faith, tripping over a pair of shoes he'd left lying in the hallway. He stumbled into the wall, clipping his arm on a shelf as he slammed to a halt. Faith glanced back but kept moving, juggling her pack to her other shoulder as she raced for the door. The little minx wasn't going to give him a breath of time to catch up, but he'd be damned if he'd let her go without so much as a word.

He gained his balance and dashed after her, catching the door as it swung open. He threw his weight against the wood, slamming it shut before she could dart through. A hushed curse lit the air, but she didn't turn to look at him, merely stared at the door, shoulders hunched, back stiff. Her raspy breath whispered across the room, and he knew she was fighting not to cry.

"Damn it. Would you just stop for one second and let me explain? I--"

"I don't want explanations," she huffed, cutting him off, jumping when Parker roared down the hall, a white towel clutched in his hands as he skidded to a halt beside them, his rough breath fluttering his hair as it whipped across his face, making him look more than dishevelled.

Donovan cursed, aware that the other man's presence wasn't helping the situation. Faith glanced over at him, tears pooled in her eyes, the glassy reflection stabbing guilt through Donovan's gut. He'd royally fucked up, and he knew it.

"Faith."

She raised her hand, nodding at Parker. "I think he's explanation enough."

Her voice cracked as a single tear cascaded down her cheek, shattering against the wood floor as if it were glass. She wiped at her face, irritation furrowing her brow. Donovan knew how much she hated crying in front of him, and he could tell it was only adding fuel to the fire.

"Look, darling, it's not what you think. I swear." He tried to smooth his hand down her arm, but she jerked it away, stepping back in order to avoid him.

"Of course not. It's perfectly normal that Parker was waiting for you in your bed. Naked!"

"He was waiting for us, in our bed," said Donovan.

A flicker of hope bloomed in his chest when her eyes softened for a moment as she chanced a glance at Parker. The man nodded, reaching for her, only to have her shake her head. Donovan cursed, wishing she'd just listen to him.

"We're not lovers," he insisted, motioning to Parker. "It's not like that." More tears spilled down her face, and Donovan knew he'd lost her.

She turned away, fisting the handle again. "It doesn't matter what it is," she whispered, her voice raw. "You still lied to me." She looked at him this time. "You know that's the one thing I can't live with."

Donovan's chest tightened, purging what little breath he had from his chest. His hand fell from the door, as she pulled it open and disappeared, the faint scent of her perfume still lingering in the air. Pain followed the click of the door, and he sank to the floor, unable to move.

Parker sighed and eased down beside him, staring at the patch of flooring beneath his feet. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, toeing at the wood. "I wasn't expecting you guys back for a couple of hours. I was up all night going over the core sample results. I was only trying to catch a few minutes of sleep--so I wouldn't disappoint you...or Faith."

Donovan nodded, trying to swallow past the lump stuck in his throat. He just couldn't believe she was gone. He'd been waiting since they'd become lovers a year ago for the perfect moment to broach the subject of Parker joining them and had finally thought she was ready to consider a new kind of relationship, only to have it all go up in flames. She hadn't even allowed him a chance to explain.