Page 86 of Entwined

HE’S SLOWLY BREAKING ME down. A touch here, a light caress of his fingers up my bare arm, or a heated glance that tells me he remembers every carnal act we did together and wants a repeat.

I want it to.

So badly.

But I’m afraid to trust him again. I’m afraid we’ll fail. And that would devastate me completely because we are finally both strong and completely comfortable, where we both are as individuals.

“I can’t believe you haven’t given in and slept with him yet.” Jecca plops down on the couch next to me.

“He’s only been back in my life for three weeks… I am weakening though. He has changed. He took me on a tour of London yesterday. The one we were supposed to have almost a year ago.”

“Better late than never, right?”

I shrug.

“What’s wrong? Has the passion worn off? You don’t fancy him the same way that you did?”

“No. If anything, I’m falling more deeply for him. He’s changed. The work he’s doing through his foundation has touched so many lives and not just on paper. He does the real work himself. He brought me to the Foundation’s London office. There’s pictures of him digging wells in Africa, putting a roof on a house in Haiti… he even went to California and rescued burned animals from the wildfires last year.”

“The man’s a bloody saint. Good grief, I hope his bedroom tastes haven’t changed or you could be sorely disappointed.”

“I doubt it. Not after the way he fucked me in Paris.”

She shivers, “Paris. I can’t get the night out of my head either.”

“Have you heard from Phillip since?”

“No. But Christos is helping me. He was able to get me invited to the autumn Ball at the palace. Phillip will be there…” She stops picking the hem of her shirt. “with a date.”

“Oh Jecs. I’m sorry. Are you going to go?”

“I might. But I’ll need a date so bloody hot Phillip will feel threatened.”

“Ben. I’m sure he’ll go. It will drive Phillip mad. Ben just made the gossip column’s ‘Most Eligible Bachelor’s list’. Again.”

“I saw that. Phillip is on it too.”

“I think you should go. Let him see you. Don’t let him forget. If you truly want him, you need to start playing his game.”

“Thanks, Jessie. I just might do that. What are your plans tonight?”

“I’m not sure. Christos has a special date planned.”

“What number is this?”

“Fifteen, I think.”

“Getting closer,” her eyebrows wiggle.

“I might jump him. It’s been so long. And I’m frustrated.”

“Me too.”

We both sigh.

“I’m off to the barn. Sally is giving me special lessons. I’m such a novice and she teaches girls that are National Champions. But she doesn’t mind helping me.”

“I’m sure that pisses Cressida off.”

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