Page 40 of Tempt Me

I don’t want to be scared of my own desire anymore.

Something clicks into place, and suddenly, it all seems crystal clear. I’ve been running in circles for weeks now, but when I look at it again, it’s simple.

I know what I want. Who I want. I just have to trust myself enough to go and take it.

“I’m sorry, Kay, I have to be somewhere.” I leap up.

She gives me a knowing smile. “Trust your instincts, darling. You know the right thing to do.”

I hurry out, down the stairs and onto the street. My instincts are screaming at me to go straight to Jase, but she spoke the truth. I have to do the right thing first.

I pull out my phone before I can change my mind. I dial Max’s number, but the call goes straight to voicemail. Damn! I need to do this now. I don’t want to waste another precious moment living a lie.

“Max?” I start my message. “I’m sorry, I can’t do this anymore. I can’t marry you. I know I should be doing this in person, but you’re in New York, and I can’t wait. If you think about it, you’ll see I’m not the woman you want, either. I can’t make you happy, and you deserve that, you really do. I’m sorry.”

I hang up. My heart is pounding, I can’t believe I just did that! But I’m not scared anymore. For the first time in a long time, I know I’m doing the right thing.

I get up and hurry back towards the street. There’s a cab passing, and I flag it down, tumbling into the backseat. I give the driver the address, and watch the city fly past. My nerves grow now, but with excitement, not fear.

Jase.

I’ve wanted him for too long. I can’t imagine how good he’ll feel.

I make it to his place in a blur and press the buzzer. A couple of minutes, and there he is in the doorway, looking surprised to see me.

“That didn’t take you long,” he smirks. “Couldn’t get me out of your dirty little mind?”

The old Chloe would have blushed and denied it. The old Chloe would have pretended that just the sight of him—tall and broad and dangerously sexy—didn’t make my heart pound and my legs go weak. But I’m not pretending, not anymore.

I look him dead in the eyes and take a deep breath. “You made me a promise. A pleasure like no other. And now I’m here to collect.”

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