Page 59 of Tangled Temptation

He wasn’t asking Angie for a lifetime. That was true, but even if they did a weekend relationship, deeper feelings could be established, and he’d eventually break her heart and his.

Jared couldn’t do that to Angie. He cared too much for her.No, it’s better this way.He’d miss her, not just for sex, but for companionship and having a work partner who understood.

And now, Sunday morning had arrived faster than he wanted. He gazed at a sleeping Angie. Could he let her go? He hadn’t come up with a plan for asking her to stay. He wasn’t a coward, but her rejection would hurt, and part of that was why he couldn’t ask her.

Angie snuggled closer as if sensing his thoughts. He glanced down.

“Good morning, sweetheart.” Still drowsy, she wiggled her body against his. He leaned over and brushed her lips with his. In a few hours she would be gone, and the past two weeks would be a memory he’d carry forever.

“Morning.” She drew her fingers from his chest down to his groin and cupped his dick. She stroked him from base to tip, and all coherent thoughts left his mind.

“Keep that up and we won’t get out of bed.”

“Sounds good to me.” Angie leaned over and licked one of his nipples and then the other one.

“Witch.” He rolled her onto her back and started making slow sweet love to her. It might be their last time together, and he was going to make it special and make it last.

***

Angie zipped her suitcase shut. She didn’t want to leave. She didn’t want to go back to a job where she had to make all the decisions for everyone. The city was going to feel empty without her best friend, and she wanted to stay with Jared.

But he hadn’t asked her, and she couldn’t ask him and deal with the rejected when he said no. Especially since he’d never indicated he wanted their relationship to go more than the two weeks. Her heart was breaking, but she had to accept it.

Jared’s not into long-term relationships.

She’d agreed to the Dom/sub arrangement and to the two weeks to explore. Their two weeks were done. Angie glanced around her room. She was going to miss these comfortable peach walls, the large bed, and having Jared next to her at night. Lord, this hurt more than she expected.

“Ready?”

Turning, she saw Jared leaning against the doorway. “Yes.” What else could she say?

He walked in and picked up her suitcase. There was nothing in his actions that told her he wanted her to stay. No, he was very closed down. His expression and body language revealed nothing. She walked out of the room and down the staircase with heavy feet and heart.

Once outside, the bright sunshine didn’t warm her as it usually did. Her car had been brought around to the front of the ranch house. Jared placed her bag in the trunk and slammed the lid shut. Angie jumped at the noise. It was too quiet.

Probably because the construction was finished. Angie couldn’t believe how much work had been done while she was here. She wanted to stay and explore. Maybe she’d come back one weekend and visit Becca so she could see everything. See Jared one more time.

Strong arms snagged her around the waist, and she was drawn against Jared’s hard body. She glanced up at him. He lowered his head. His lips took hers in a kiss. It wasn’t a gentle good-bye kiss; it was one of possession, of passion.

Hope filled her as they kissed. Maybe he needed physical contact to ask her to stay. Because if he asked, she’d stay in a heartbeat. She was invested in him. Jared lifted his head.

“Have a safe drive.” He rested his forehead against hers.

“I will.”

Ask me, Jared. Please.

“Behave yourself when you get back to San Francisco.” He swatted her ass.

“Of course.” Her hands tightened on his shoulders. His little swat heated her blood like no one else ever had. “I love you.” The words slipped out before she could prevent them.

Jared’s eyes widened before his face went completely blank. “You can’t,” he whispered, before he pulled away from her and walked away.

Tears filled her eyes as he kept his back to her. How could he walk away like that? It was just like their beginning. He was abandoning her. She closed her eyes to keep the tears from falling, then fumbled for the door handle of her car.

Go. After. Him.

But she couldn’t. No, it was over. He didn’t want her. She started the engine and put the car into gear. She wouldn’t chase him. If he didn’t want her, so be it.

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