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“I’m happy to work with one of your couples and to see if a business arrangement between us is possible, but that’s all this is.” I put on my business voice because I couldn’t handle Silas when he was pursuing me on anything other than a surface level. He said he only wanted something physical, but that’s not what we shared that one night. It was so much more, and either he didn’t get that, or he didn’t care. Which meant he was reckless.
I didn’t do anything that wasn’t carefully thought out, the risks and benefits analyzed and dissected. I didn’t need to do an autopsy on Silas to know that he was dangerous to my equilibrium. He’d already demonstrated that with every touch and every kiss. I melted when he was near, and I couldn’t afford to let go with him. No matter how persistent he was, I wouldn’t give in.
I moved aside as he stepped close. I wondered for a second if he was going to give in and kiss me first. Triumph surged through my body and eased when he opened the door for me. “Have a good night, Gia. Get home safely.”
Disappointment coursed through my body as I slid inside and set my purse on the passenger-side seat. He braced his arms on the doorframe and leaned inside, his cologne filling the interior of my small sports car.
“Do me a favor and text me when you get home.”
He was so close I could tug on his tie and his mouth would lower to mine. It would be so easy, and it would feel so good. So why didn’t I do it? Give in to the pleasure that I knew I’d experience in his arms and under his body?
I bit my lip as visions of his body pressing me into the mattress took hold, and I almost lost control.
He tapped the roof of the car and pushed away.
“Why?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“So I know that you got home safely.”
Because I was used to this with my brothers and respected his request, I nodded. “I will.”
The resulting smile was so bright, I blinked in surprise. “It’s only a matter of time.”
Despite my irritation, I smiled. “You’re dreaming, Silas. I’ll never give in.”
“Oh, you will,” he said with a wink as I turned on the car and slammed my door shut. I didn’t need Silas to taunt me, to remind me of how tenuous my control was when I was around him.
I backed out and avoided looking at him watching me drive away. I’d had a taste of him, and it would have to be enough to last a lifetime because I wasn’t going back for more.
Seven
SILAS
Iwatched Gia drive away, desire humming under my skin. It wasn’t in my nature to deny a woman who wanted me, but I’d restrained myself during that kiss. I could easily have given in to my baser instincts and lifted her onto that countertop, spread her out, and given us both the pleasure we wanted.
That would have been the easy thing to do. It was what I wanted to do. But I’d had a lot of time to think about what happened between us, and I didn’t want to mess things up again. I had a feeling if Gia felt out of control of the situation again, she’d run even further.
I needed her to come to me, which was a gamble when I wasn’t sure she would. She was stubborn and strong and unlike any woman I’d ever been with. I wanted to do this the right way.
I liked her more than I should, and more than was reasonable when we didn’t have a future. I’d convinced myself I’d only wanted something physical, but it was more than that. I wanted to make her come undone, not just physically but emotionally. If I did that, it would be more than any relationship I’d attempted in the past.
But then, Gia already meant more to me. She wasn’t just some woman I’d admired from afar. She was my best friends’ sister. I’d avoided meeting up with her brothers since I’d been inside her, but I couldn’t avoid them much longer. Our guys’ weekend at the resort was coming up. We’d go out on my boat, drink, and catch up.
I wouldn’t mention Gia, but it would be awkward as hell thinking of how I’d betrayed them. I wasn’t certain I’d be able to keep it from them, but I didn’t have a choice. Even if the guilt felt like this brick weighing down my chest.
I hadn’t gotten much farther than getting Gia to give in to me. I didn’t think about the repercussions or what it meant. Or anything other than getting her back in my bed, where she belonged.
I knew I wouldn’t be able to resist her if I saw her again, and I was right. Now I’d orchestrated a situation where we’d be working together. It wasn’t smart. But I was looking forward to seeing her every day. I just hoped I could hold out and keep my word.
I wanted to follow her home and tell her I’d lied. That I didn’t care if she gave up control, as long as I could have her.
But I brushed that idea off because I knew Gia would push me away harder each time until she cut off all ties. I didn’t want that.
I got into my car and drove home. I hadn’t been able to stay in my penthouse suite since Gia had slept over. Everywhere I looked, there were memories of her and me, and I couldn’t be there without seeing her in the hot tub or bent over the railing. And since I couldn’t have her, it made everything worse.
Instead, I drove to my house. The two-story colonial was at the end of a long driveway hidden by trees. I’d fallen in love with the place as soon as I‘d seen it. I loved the privacy and the view of the water from the back of the house.
It was why I’d bought the resort. I’d always wanted to live by the water. I grabbed a beer from the fridge and sat on the screened-in porch, enjoying the sounds of the night, the crickets, the occasional frog, and the lapping of the water. The moon shone over the water, reminding me of the night Gia was in my bed.
