Page 38 of What Alex Wants…He Gets

“I don’t know what else I’m supposed to say in this situation.”

He stopped and faced me. “How about, ‘it’s great to see you again. Where’ve you been all my life.’ Or even ‘thanks for the great fuck’.”

I had to bite back a caustic response to his last statement. I didn’t need to attack Jeremy. It wasn’t his fault I was on the edge of whatever the hell this was. If anything I should feel guilty that I couldn’t be the woman he and Alex obviously wanted.

Instead I looked away and concentrated on each step I took on the sidewalk.

“Damn it, Harper. I’m sorry. That was completely uncalled for.”

“Not really. I probably deserve worse.”

A frown creased his forehead. “What? Are you crazy? Don’t say things that are going to make me want to spank some sense into you. That will get us both in trouble.”

I laughed then at the picture of Jeremy doing just that. Because after that night it wasn’t hard to imagine. Unfortunately, said laughter went from funny haha to hysterical in two seconds flat and the next thing I knew I’d released a flood of tears that resembled releasing the kraken in their intensity. Jeremy gathered me into his arms and rubbed my back while I cried it out. I felt ridiculous and yet, I couldn’t stop. My time with both of these men had opened a side of me I’d thought was safely forgotten and now I didn’t know how to put it back away.

When the racking sobs subsided Jeremy tipped my head back and wiped the remnants of the jag from my face. “Why aren’t you returning Alex’s calls? Did we hurt you? Did he?”

I shook my head, although I was surprised that Alex had sent Jeremy to question me. If he really wanted to know so bad why didn’t he come ask himself?

“No. It’s not that at all. You and Alex gave me an incredible fantasy night that I’m never going to forget.”

“But…”

“No buts. That’s the God’s honest truth.”

“Harper, in my experience when a woman cries her eyes out on your shoulder there are always buts.”

“Seriously, Jeremy. It was an incredibly decadent night that I’m never going to forget.”

“So why not talk to Alex? He’s anxious to see you again. Although I’ll be honest with you. As much as he claims to be respecting your space, I’m quite shocked he hasn’t found a way to corner you and put a collar around that pretty neck of yours.”

“I—I just can’t.” I pulled myself from his comforting embrace and straightened my clothes, doing my best to pull myself together. I’d need to return to my kitchen soon.

“That’s not much of an answer. But if we pushed you too far and you regret that night…”

“No!” How could they think that? “Absolutely no regrets. If anything it made me realize how much of myself has been closed off since I moved here. Maybe when I get my bearings again I can look for…” I didn’t have the heart to even voice the words. It would be some time before I got Alex out of my mind. Not to mention now letting Jeremy down—in person no less.

“I’m really not getting it. You’re going to have to spell it out for me darling.” He stood his ground, hands on hips, looking every inch the alpha male I knew him to be.

I blew out my breath and threaded my fingers through my hair, pulling it free from the ponytail holder. “Why did Alex send you here instead of coming himself? And what did you mean put a collar on me? Why would he ever do that?”

“First, he didn’t send. I ran into him this morning at the coffee shop near his apartment and he filled me in on what’s been going on.” Jeremy cupped my chin and lifted my head to meet his gaze. “Now stop stalling and tell me what the real problem is.”

Fine, if he was going to harass me for the truth I had no choice but to give it to him. “I don’t want to be in a relationship where I’m shared,” I blurted.

Silence stretched between them for long moments. I blinked my eyes against his harsh scrutiny. He remained silent. My stomach cramped. Rejecting Jeremy in person had not been on today’s agenda and I was beginning to resent him for forcing me to do this.

“Is that it?”

“Isn’t that enough?” I didn’t bite back the sarcasm that time. My patience had officially run out.

Jeremy smiled wide. “Oh little one, you have no idea what you’re in for do you?” He dropped his hand and pivoted me in the direction in which we’d come.

What the hell was that supposed to mean? My anger rose. “You aren’t making this easy for me, you know.”

He snickered. “I can’t believe you thought I would. Didn’t your mother ever tell you that anything worth having is not going to be easy?”

I sighed at the brief flash of grief thinking of my mother caused. “My mother didn’t have time for clichés and men who made no sense. She had more important things to do.”

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