Page 19 of Savage Temptation

He shrugs. “A man can hardly pass up a perfect set of lips.”

“That’s not an answer. It’s a deflection.”

“I’m not entirely sure you’d like the answer.”

“Try me.”

“This might sound cliché, but have you ever heard the phrase:It’s lonely at the top?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s been my life for quite a while now. I hate saying it because it screams poor little rich kid, but it’s true. Every woman in my orbit is after either fame or fortune. Except you.”

Suddenly, everything makes sense. “So you wanted me because I don’t want you for your money and fame.”

“Shit, that’s not it. I know it sounds that way, but there’s more to it than that. It’s who you are. And…” he bobs his head from side to side, “how you look in a dress.”

“I’ve seen the women that hang around you.”

“Yes, and I know they’re model perfect, but you never fail to outshine them. God, I can’t believe I’m telling you this, but you’ve been a long running fantasy that’s played out in my head for quite some time. Since before we hooked up.”

His confession jars me, because he’s not the only one who’s been fixated. Is it possible we feel the same way toward each other?

Atticus gives me a sorrowful look. “I’m sorry. About everything.”

I’m not stupid enough to think that Atticus will ever be a one-woman kind of guy, but perhaps it would be good for us to get over this hurdle, so that our friendship can remain intact.

His jaw is tense, which is how he gets when he’s frustrated. Maybe the reason he wanted me so badly that night was that I was the one woman he couldn’t have. The forbidden element of coupling could be what drove his lust.

Or, ya know, maybe he actually likes you…

I wish.

We can’t stop what we started. Not yet. Not until we’ve had our fill.

After overthinking every element of what I’m about to ask, I blurt out, “Maybe you just need to get me out of your system.”

His brow lifts. “Pardon?”

Of course, I have to be a coward. Unwilling to confess my own feelings.

“You say you can’t stop thinking of me. Maybe it’s because I’m the one woman you can’t have. Perhaps once you’ve had me, and not just for one drunken night, the feelings will pass.”

His handsome features contort in confusion, then realization washes over his face.

“So you’re saying that we should continue to hook up?”

I nod, my cheeks reddening.

“Now? Until…when?”

I swallow hard. “I don’t know.”

“Why would you do that?”

Shit—now is not the time to confess feelings. That’ll just scare him away.

“I have terrible luck with men, and traveling as much as I do makes it difficult to date.”