Page 30 of Sweet Temptation

“I know this whole thing sucks,” Elle said, gentling her tone. “I know you don’t like being… managed… this way—”

“You mean bossed around?”

“And I know you had an epically bad day yesterday, but…” She faded off.

“Uh, hello? Are you there…?”

“Summer. Shit. Do you think your break-in has anything to do with the break-in at your neighbor’s place the other night? And your stuff getting stolen after your show…?”

“She didn’t have a break-in…” I said slowly. “Something just set off her alarm.”

We both went silent a moment as I thought about it, though.

Were any of these events related?

“Look,” Elle said softly. “Just… let the guys do their thing, okay?” I could hear the concern in her voice. “It will be better if you just let them do their thing. For me,” she added.

“Fine. For you.”

“Thank you.”

“Am I really your best friend?” I probed.

“Of course you’re my best friend.”

“Do I get to be your maid of honor?”

She snickered. “I have zero plans for a wedding, and Seth hasn’t proposed yet, and you’re asking me this?”

“Shit, yes, I’m asking.”

“Yes,” she said. “You’re my maid of honor. If I ever get married.”

“I’ll talk to Seth.”

She laughed. “Just take all the love you’re offered today, okay?”

“Is this love?” I said. “It’s rather… stifling.”

“Summer…”

“Alright,” I promised. “For you.”

When I got off the call, I glanced in my rearview mirror, and sure enough, there was Ronan.

I picked up speed and zig-zagged through traffic a bit, heading onto the Lions Gate Bridge. Then I really sped up. I may have tried to lose him, just to see if I could.

I couldn’t, apparently. My Benz could move, but his Camaro held its own, and besides, it wasn’t just the car that mattered, it was the driver. He kept that thing right up my ass.

It was kind of exhilarating, actually. Like foreplay or something.

When I pulled into Brody’s driveway in North Vancouver, the brief high totally crashed and burned, though. I got out of my car and fucking sighed.

The driveway wasn’t empty. Both Ash’s truck and Xander’s Corvette were parked in front of Brody’s garage.

Ronan parked on the street and headed over to me. “Were you trying to lose me?”

I turned on him. He looked about as annoyed as I felt. “I sure was.”

---