Page 51 of The Desire

“Friends, or friends with…” He thinks he is hilarious.

“Don’t you dare say that word.”

“What word, El? Friends with… a working relationship.” He smiles in satisfaction at being such a smartass.

“We both know that’s not what you were about to say, and let me assure you, that word is off the table. I told you, that’s not me.”

“Mm-hm.” I hate when he doesn’t answer properly, because I know he is just saying it to make me happy when in fact he is ignoring what I said.

This will be the hardest one for him to accept, but it is non-negotiable. Getting ready for the reaction, I take a deep breath and start with the extra confidence I’m pulling to the surface to stand my ground.

“We can date if we choose to.” I know full well I won’t, but I need to make sure he has the opportunity.

“No, strike it off.” There is no casual tone in his voice. It’s blunt and to the point and forceful. Just like I expected.

“I won’t back down on this one. This is one of the most important ones. There is no way you can go twelve months without sex, I’m not stupid. That thing in your pants is a beast that will need release, and don’t try to deny it. You need to be able to have your normal one-night stands or find a woman who satisfies you.”

My words are irritating him as he stands slowly but with purpose and goes toe to toe with me in a few steps. He drops his face so close to mine that our lips are almost touching, and I can feel his breath as he replies, “Just watch me, baby. But thanks for the compliment.”

My legs almost collapse beneath me, and if I didn’t know before that statement that I was in trouble with this man, he just confirmed it… loud and clear.

I have never met such a sexual man that is so possessive of me, even though he can’t have me.

“Rem, please, you have to accept, we aren’t together.”

Oh God, my whole body is reacting to him being so close.

“Keep telling yourself that, El. In the meantime, I’ll be getting off with my hand every night with you in the room next to me, while you are doing the same. And don’t keep quiet… I want to hear you cry out my name.”

He smashes his lips onto mine and takes what he wants before he pulls away smiling and leaves me standing in a puddle in the middle of his office.

Oh. My. God!

I’m in trouble.

Big trouble, but I’m so here for it!

Chapter Eleven

REMINGTON

Iknew telling Mum and Dad about Blaise was going to be intense, but I didn’t expect them to just turn up on my doorstep the next day.

Even if I wanted to spend time alone with Elouise, which probably wasn’t a good idea at the moment, it wasn’t possible anyway with my parents staying in my house too. Mum is constantly walking around with tears in her eyes from the happiness she feels at smothering another grandchild, and how overjoyed she was that I’m a father when I’ve been telling her for years it was never going to happen. But the main reason is, of course, Blaise’s cuteness, who just looks so much like me at that age. She has been cooking up a storm, and thank God tonight is their last night here. Nic invited us all out to the farm for the afternoon and dinner so Blaise could see the animals and run around with my dad.

Before Nic became filthy rich, inheriting his family’s hotel chain, he and Flynn were pretty impressive chefs in Australia. They both love to get back into the kitchen every so often, and we all get to sit back and enjoy them in their element. With my parents here, we’ve also been able to relax, keeping the conversation light and not talking or worrying about work.

Blaise is now fast asleep on the couch in the sunroom while we are all out the back in the outdoor entertainment area, sitting around the fire pit and enjoying some very nice red wine. Nic’s wine cellar is impressive and of course full of great Australian wines that he loves to tell the story of where they were produced. Mum and Dad are looking tired as I glance at them, and I know it’s time to get them home.

Glancing across the fire, I can see Elouise in the red-and-yellow glow, deep in a conversation with Tori. The moment I start really watching her intently, she looks toward me like a magnet and just smiles softly, before turning her head back to focus on Tori.

We have managed to slip into a good place. But it doesn’t stop me from feeling that intense longing; I don’t know where it’s come from, it’s all new to me.

I have never felt like this about a woman before.

But maybe it’s because I can’t have her. The age-old saying of you always want what you can’t have.

It’s become the Elouise effect, desiring what I can’t have.

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