Page 56 of The Prince's Game
He traced the crease between my eyes. “You’re cute when you frown.”
“Don’t avoid the question. Why wouldn’t I believe in soul mates?” I wanted a man who looked at me the way my father looked at my mother. Someday I would find the one.
“I don’t know. You agreed to explore our relationship and see where this goes, knowing I don’t want to get married. I made assumptions based on that.”
“Just because I agreed to our temporary arrangement doesn’t mean I won’t look for a relationship with someone else down the road. It won’t be tomorrow or even next year, but I do eventually want to get married and have kids.”
His gaze narrowed. “Temporary?” It sounded like a curse on his lips, confusing me.
“Well, yeah. You’re going to go back to work after all this, right? And I’ll be back in Chicago. We could have a long-distance fling, but there’s no longevity there, aside from our business relationship. You don’t want anything long-term, hence the no marriage stipulation, and I’m okay with that. But that doesn’t mean I won’t be looking for that at some point in my life with the right person.”
“I thought part of exploring what this is between us was meant to go beyond the show.” His fingers were locked around my wrist as if to hold me to him.
“Okay, but for how long? I’m being realistic, Evan.” It was the only way to safeguard my heart, not that I could tell him that. He would end this tonight if I admitted how I felt, and I wasn’t ready to say good-bye yet.
He studied me, his all-consuming gaze roaming over my features as if he were memorizing them. “I don’t like the idea of you being with someone else.”
My eyebrows hit my hairline. “That’s rich considering you came over tonight to talk about breaking up with another woman.”Okay, that came out wrong. I shook my head, clearing it. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
“No, you were right to say it.” He sat up and ran a hand through his hair. “Maybe I should stay somewhere else tonight.”
I grabbed his arm, stopping him from standing. “Please don’t go, not like this.” He didn’t try to get up but didn’t relax either. I blew out a breath, irritated that I let my big mouth speak before I could think it through.
“Look, I’m flattered you came to visit and confided in me. I didn’t mean to botch it with a stupid comment. Just, okay, I get why the thought of me being with someone else bothers you, but I have to be true to myself here. You don’t want a future with me or anyone, and that’s fine. I respect that. But I need you to understand that although you don’t want to get married, I do someday. I don’t know who he is yet or when it will happen, but it’s something I want eventually. I don’t want to be lonely the rest of my life.”
His shoulders were tense as he kept his back to me, his feet on the ground. “Do you think I’ll be lonely the rest of my life?” A quiet question.
If you age the way your father has, then no, definitely not.“I think you’ll live your life the way you want to, Evan. Whether that be with flings, temporary lovers, or maybe the eventual relationship, you’ll find ways not to be alone.”
“I’m not lonely when I’m with you.” He turned, his gaze penetrating. “I don’t like the idea of this being temporary, even if it’s true.”
“Then we live in the moment and enjoy it while it lasts.”And hope that it gives us enough memories to last a lifetime. I was starting to doubt that I would ever find another man like him. One who not only respected my ambition but praised me for it. Someone who confided in me like a longtime best friend, not just a pillow mate. A man who gave me multiple orgasms every night and could melt me with a look.
God, Abby’s right. I’m falling for him. I looked away, biting my lip. This man was going to break me. He couldn’t handle the idea of me with someone else; meanwhile, I wasn’t sure there ever would be anyone else for me. I was fooling myself with all these words. If I had a soul mate, he looked a lot like Evan Mershano. And didn’t that suck? The man who could be destined for me was provisional at best. Fate was just cruel enough to pull this prank on me.
He palmed my cheek and brushed his nose against mine. “I don’t deserve you, but I’m glad I have you, even if only for the moment.”
I kissed him and poured all my feelings into the unspoken dialogue between our tongues. Frustration, adoration, humiliation, and love went into that kiss, and a piece of my heart broke off, forever becoming his. His leg slid between mine, pinning me to the bed as he embraced me with the same passion. He cradled my face between his palms and took his time exploring my mouth.
Each lick and nip was an introduction to something new, his way of prolonging the moment. This was a mutual exchange of emotions, not a seduction. It broke the remainder of my shields, unleashing everything from within until tears pricked my eyes. I shuddered under the impact of it. I was so screwed.
27
The Familial Test
He spent the night again after his trip to Charleston. This time he brought his suitcase. We were getting dressed in the morning after a shared shower when he looked at me with a twinkle in his eye.
“So the producers said I’m meeting your mom and Bob. You’ve never mentioned him. Is he your stepdad?”
I laughed. “Oh no. My mom never remarried after my dad. She just dates to kill the time, and I think she likes having someone around to take care of her.”
“Ah, that’s right. You mentioned Abby has similar proclivities.”
I pulled on the cocktail dress given to me last night by the crew. It was black and skimmed my knees. Evan walked up behind me to help tie the halter neck.
“Yeah, but Abby just cares about their wallets, while my mom doesn’t need their money. She only wants their company.” My dad was a financial planner and set aside a nest egg for my mom. It wasn’t substantial, but it was enough to care for her after his passing.
“I’m beginning to understand why the show picked her as a contestant.”
