Page 24 of Friends with Benefits (Club Risqué)

"Just give it a chance," he breathed, as if he knew she was wavering.

She wanted this. She didn't want this.

Tears pricked behind her eyes at the frustration of her indecision, but Christian made the choice for her when his head drew closer and his mouth replaced his thumb on her lips.

He held her head immobile while he brushed his lips ever so lightly against hers then sipped a little before groaning out loud and pressing more firmly against her. Licking at the seam and requesting an entry she was helpless to deny, before plundering her mouth in a kiss that stole her breath as well as another little part of her soul.

Trinity grasped at his silk shirt, crumpling the fabric in her fierce grip as she held on for dear life and let him lead her wherever he wanted to go.

The kiss was, at once, heaven and hell combined.

It was everything she ever wanted, and everything that she was terrified of tasting, only to have it ripped away once again.

She wasn't that naïve, idealistic young girl anymore. She knew just where unrealistic dreams and foolish hope took you, and she didn't want to go there again.

Trust! Trust was the real issue here.

Logically, Trinity knew Christian had never made her any promises. She acknowledged that he’d been careful to ensure she understood why he couldn't devote himself to a committed, romantic relationship.

She had accepted all of that even while she had hoped for more.

That was on her, not on him.

But of course, it had all been a lie.

When it came right down to it, all those noble excuses had meant nothing once Bianca had appeared.

Trinity might even have accepted that. She knew it was impossible to make someone love you, no matter how hard you willed it.

She also knew, from first-hand experience, that when love struck, sometimes you were powerless against the emotions that seized you up and swept you along, like a tidal wave, forging its own path, regardless of what direction you might want to take.

She could accept that Christian had fallen head over heels for somebody else, and while it still broke her heart, more than anything, she'd wanted him to be happy.

Even if that happiness didn't include her.

What she couldn't get over, right this minute, was the fact that he’d tossed aside the one and only thing hedidpromise her.

He’d told her that he would always be her friend… and then he’d thrown away their friendship like it was worthless.

Trust. When it came right down to it, she might still love him; the jury was still out on that, but she simply didn't trust him anymore. For all she knew, he might have done exactly the same thing to his wife, and that was why he was no longer married.

She didn't really believe that, of course. Christian had never been so impulsive that he would have married, just to change his mind a few months later, but it helped her resolve to keep up a sense of righteous indignation.

When he finally lifted his head, tasting her tears on his tongue, he stroked them away with his thumbs and asked, "Why are you crying, Trinity?"

"Damn you, Christian!" she choked out on a whisper. "I gave you more than just a chance, all those years ago. I gave you everything that I had, and you just threw it back in my face. Why the hell do you think you deserve another one?"

ChapterNineteen

Christian closed his eyes, resting his forehead against Trinity’s.

He didn't say anything.

He didn't know what to say.

What was there to say, when she was right?

There weren't enough words in the world to excuse what had happened between them.

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