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“Fine!” He let his irritation show for the first time. “I’ll do both parts. First qu
estion. Where’s Ellen? Answer. She’s with Ben.”
Anne opened her eyes, regarding him with suspicion. “Who’s Ben?”
“Nicely done. See how much more fun it is when you participate? Ben is Ellen’s—wait for it—boyfriend. In fact, she already told you about him. He’s her leading man.”
“But…”
“Aha! Now you have so many questions to ask.” He wore a smug grin.
“So you two aren’t dating?”
“Nope.”
“And Tuesday night?”
“Nothing happened.”
Anne contemplated his words, and suddenly she was filled with rage. “You pig!” She flew across the car and began to pound on his arm with her fists. “You made me believe you slept with her! You called me up there! I can’t believe you did that!”
He grabbed her arms to stop the beating. “Wait! I’m sorry. I admit it wasn’t the wisest decision I made. But you drove me to it!” One of her hands escaped to strike him. “Ow!” He secured the offending hand again.
“You were the one who set me up with Ellen after I asked you not to. I only wanted to find out if you’d be happy if I accepted your offer.”
Anne was still twisting her arms to get them free. “Why would Ellen do that to me? We were friends.”
“You forced us into a relationship neither of us wanted, so we made a bargain. I promised to help the play monetarily and get her some publicity, and she promised to help make you jealous.”
Anne stopped struggling. “You wanted to make me jealous? And then you kissed me to teach me a lesson?”
He pulled her hands toward him and placed them on his chest. “Do you feel my heart beating?”
She nodded—his heart was pounding almost as fast as hers.
“I kissed you because I couldn’t help myself. And soon… I’m going to do much more than kiss you.”
He pulled the coat off her shoulders and threw it on the floor.
“Did I mention how much I like this new dress? These little parts on the side where I can see your skin through the fabric…” He ran his fingers lightly up and down her side, bolts of electricity erupting at his touch.
Anne’s heart threatened to leap from her chest. She moaned, and then grabbed his hand and pushed it away. Tears began to fall anew.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Mr. Gherring, but I can’t do this. I really want to. But I can’t.”
He groaned. “I know, but I’ve suffered for longer than you can imagine. Do you know how long I’ve wanted you?”
She shook her head, crying miserably.
“I think I knew after that first day, when you had no idea who I was. I knew I’d found something that had been missing all my life.”
Her eyes closed, but she felt the gentle pressure of his fingers on her jaw. “Look at me, please.”
She watched his face dancing through a shimmer of tears. His voice went soft. “I thought you wanted me too. Was I wrong?”
She shook her head. “No, I did want you.”
“But you don’t anymore? I’m too late? I waited too long?”
