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Snites ain "It’s supposed to hurt a little, you know," I whisper back "This ti ers over the side of my face "So I’ve heard, but that doesn’t ht of hurting you"

Ithe contrasts between us--the short hair at his teh expanse of stubble across his jaw His concern is unwarranted I don’t know that I’ve ever felt this whole "It will never hurt again Or so I’ve heard"

He chuckles softly and shakes his head

I clear my throat "So… do you have another… erm…" My face warms, but timidity is silly at this point "Because Einore, which I didn’t know about until I unpacked…"

I was so, so grateful that I hadn’t been selected for a randoe search at the airport on this trip when I unearthed the box of condoms that had stoay in : Happy "PREMIERE"!!! luv, eether, trying not to laugh atwe take this celebration to your roo all around the bed "Is it a celebration?"

His fingers journey down ht fro us face to face "Hell yes it is"

My hands curl against his chest "What are we celebrating?"

Closing his eyes, he presses his face to mine and hu this--" he skims my face with his and then kisses ht, andyou’ll consent to behe’s got

"Huess that will have to do," I laugh, pushing him onto his back

Chapter 33

Brooke

The sun’s not quite up when I check out No one colasses Not the bellhop, not the front desk, not the valet They all assuover I would welco eet Reid to open the door last night He had the gall to appear utterly indifferent, standing back to allow h I’d rapped politely rather than cursing and banging on it with both fists As though I was expected Which I guess I was

"What the godda bastard!"

His mouth twisted with amusement and my hands became hard fists at my side The door shut behind me and he followed as I stor that particular insult, Brooke?"

I hit hilanced off of his shoulder, har my wrist, he just shook his head like he was sort of sorry for ht that one, too

"It was a house of cards, Brooke You had to know it"

"You told her You told her to go talk to hi ot no morals, but I seem to have at least one you don’t"

I tried to yankto say I didn’t want to hear hiirl into bed with me"

"I know," I sneered, "because you’re the alet whatever girl you want Hoell did that ith her, though? She didn’t want you"

There He still had my hands imprisoned but he looked like I’d slapped hihtly ajar He recovered too quickly for ht" His expression transforht in front of me He didn’t just release my wrists, he threw them down Turned and walked to the rabbed a bottle and twisted the cap, leaning a hip against the bar "Just like he didn’t want you The difference is, I’et her, or I’d have told her last Septe in love with her How fast would she have fallen for that? How persuasive do you think I could have been?" HisSo beautiful Damn him She’d have melted on the spot, and don’t I know it

My body was on fire I hated hiain "You say you’ve never lied to get a girl? You lied tominute Drank the contents of the bottle down, his eyes never leaving mine "I did"

Did what? Did lie to me? Did love me? Does it even matter noill never ask hihed--no amusement, just insolence "I know"

That hen the reality of what had just occurred hit me What I’d done What I’d lost I’d made an all-out play for Graham, and it had failed Crash-and-burn failed But it was more than that After years of friendship between us, I’d betrayed that relationship Completely Betrayed his collapsed underinto the carpet "Oh my God" I’d lied to him Tricked him The full impact of what I’d just lost crushed me Our friendship was over I’d been so sure I was prepared to gaand couldn’t stop