Page 12 of The Jellybean Dilemma

“That’s tough.” I paused, twirling another strand of hair around my finger as I thought. “Flying is definitely up there, but I’d have to say teleporting because it’d be amazing to get from one place to another just like that.” I snapped my fingers. And if I was ever stuck inside a tight spot like that closet again, I could poof, be gone. “What about you? If you could have any superpower, what would it be?”

He didn’t even hesitate. “To go back in time.” He didn’t elaborate.

His words were so firm and final I decided I better not pry. At least for now.

Chapter Four

Traffic grew heavier, so I left Greg to his thoughts. My mind drifted to Kevin. Our breakup had brought several issues to light, ones he’d been counting on our marriage to hide.

His exorbitant spending, for example. He came from a family with wealth and status, as did I, so it made sense to combine our resources. Once we’d split, and I’d gone over my expenditures with my accountant, I couldn’t believe the ridiculous things he’d spent money on. Especially the flamboyant outings with his guy friends, where they’d given the ladies who had accompanied them whatever they wanted.

Those women were another issue. He’d been more discreet in our time together, but we’d both known we were headed for a marriage of convenience. Though I was by no means a prude, sex had never been very enjoyable for me, so I didn’t expect Kevin to suffer because of my preferences.

Now, however, he seemed to be on a mission to prove to me just how much women enjoyed sex with him. Almost daily, I received texts with pictures of him with a different woman. Very lewd pictures of them in every known position—sometimes with a note attached.

Don’t you wish you were here? See what you’re missing? I bet you regret breaking up with me now.

I’d sigh, save the text in a confidential folder for evidence of his continued harassment, then delete it from my main messages, and block him. I couldn’t very well change my number. I was Rhonda Elgin after all, heiress to a shipping empire. How many charities had me on speed dial? My number was practically tattooed to me, and Kevin knew it. So he’d just get a new phone, or use his latest conquest’s.

My family had a team of lawyers at their disposal. I could get a restraining order, but then I’d have to tell my parents. They were so proud of how ‘adult’ our breakup had been, so ‘scandal free’. I hadn’t had the heart to fill them in on Kevin’s true nature.

Not to mention my embarrassment that I had allowed someone like him in my life at all. I’d gotten myself into this mess, and I was determined to dig myself out. On my own.

“You’re awfully quiet over there.” Greg glanced my way, tightening his mouth in concern.

I forced a yawn that became real halfway through. My words this morning had been true, last night was rough. Kevin had texted me just before bed, which triggered something in me. My sleep was fraught with nightmares of Kevin trying to force me to have sex then shoving me into a dark closet afterward.

“Just tired,” I murmured. “The coffee hasn’t kicked in yet, and I didn’t sleep great last night.”

Several long seconds passed before he responded. “How about some music? You can close your eyes if you want. We’ve still got a long way to go.”

I bit my lip. I’d never been great at sleeping in the car. “I guess I can try.”

He flipped through the stations, finding one that claimed to play everything. His fingers tapped to the fast beat as I curled my legs up on the seat beneath me, leaning against the headrest. I didn’t shut my eyes right away as I watched Greg drive, listening to him hum along to the music.

My eyelids grew heavy, but I still wasn’t comfortable. I shifted several times in a row until Greg tilted his head toward me. I sighed, feeling like I should explain. “Sorry. I’ve never been one for sleeping in the car.”

“I get it. Not the most comfortable place.” He frowned then said, “What if we…?” One hand reached down, and he fumbled to lift the armrest up. “That should give you a little more room.”

My heart beat faster as I stared in disbelief at the upright divider, at the empty space now between us. But what will keep me from bumping into you? Where’s my buffer?

“You could use my shoulder.” The words came out hesitantly, a pause between each one. “For a pillow…if you want.”

I focused on breathing as I fixated on his shoulder. Greg had given permission to lie on him and taken away the barrier between us? I thought Christmas was last week.

“It’s okay if you don’t.” He paused again. When I didn’t respond, he sighed. “Just, never mind.” His hand reached for the armrest, and mine shot out to stop him, our fingers colliding.

“No!” His startled gaze flew to mine. Way to make that more awkward, Rhonda. “I mean, I’d really like that. Thank you.”

Biting my lip, I let go of his hand and edged toward him. Where do I put my head? His arm still hovered in mid-air, and his chest beckoned. I took a deep breath then swooped in to snuggle against his warm, firm torso. His muscles tensed beneath me.

Several moments passed before the tension left his body, and he brought his hand down to rest on my side. I relaxed into him, crossing my arms over my middle to grip my biceps. It seemed safer than letting my hands dangle. I didn’t want to grope him in my sleep.

His bare hand shifted slightly, and his pinky grazed mine as I drifted off, his comforting scent of cedar and peppermint chasing away any hint of nightmares.

When I woke up, the steering wheel greeted me. I blinked, realizing I wasn’t where I had been. One hand was under my cheek, cupped firmly around…Greg’s muscular thigh. Oh. My. Word. It took everything in me not to shoot upright, but I didn’t want to make him swerve again. Like he had when I’d spilled water down my front.

“Hey, you’re awake.”

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