Page 29 of Fallen Roses

For some reason, he laughs out loud, and it eases the tension that flared up after the simplest question.

Our food arriving is a welcome distraction and as I twist the spaghetti onto my spoon, I steady my beating heart, that is fueled by guilt and lustful intention.

Despite the tensebeginning the meal is spent enjoying good food, wine and easy conversation and as James settles the check, I am anxious for what happens next. Will we go our separate ways, or will we end up where I hope we do?

The air is cooler and I shiver as we step outside onto the sidewalk. James appears lost in thought and unusually for me I don’t know what to say.

“So–”

I peer at him through the darkening shadows and note he appears on edge. He looks around as if in search of something, and I can’t help but wonder if it’s related to what occurred in the alley. Maybe he’s been influenced by that and now looks for danger in every shadow.

At the sound of my voice, he stares at me with a regretful expression and says with a sigh, “I’ll hail a cab for you. It’s not safe for you to walk home in this city.”

“Will you join me?”

I hate that I sound so desperate and I hate it even more when he shakes his head.

“No. I told you, Ana, this was a bad idea.”

“And I told you it wasn’t.”

Fuck, why can’t I just accept what happened was a casual fuck and not the love story of the century? I’m not this needy person, clinging onto hope that the great man will notice me and declare his love for me.

I’m a strong independent woman and should act like it but there is something telling me our story isn’t over yet.

CHAPTER 16

JAMES

Idon’t know why I blurted out my personal life to her like that. I’ve never felt the need to offload to anyone before. Perhaps it’s the soft concern she threw my way, or the small smile of encouragement that she offered. Her hand in mine was a comforting gesture, and I relished the sight of the ice queen melting before my eyes. It was good to talk about something personal. If anything, it was more intimate than fucking her over a boardroom table.

Now the moment of truth is upon us because she is offering something I want more than air.

Her.

I wish it was that easy and it should be. The trouble is, I know he is watching and waiting for me to step out of line and I’m aware of the consequences of that.

The burning question is Ana worth the risk?

Her beautiful eyes sparkle in the dusky light and thesoft smile she directs my way is like the lure of a siren. She is shivering and clutching her jacket a little tighter and I long to draw her close and warm her from the inside out.

I note the headlights approaching and the telltale illuminated sign on top of the cab and I raise my arm, noting hope turn to disappointment in her eyes.

As the cab stops beside us, I open the door and as she turns away, it’s as if she is holding onto my heart and it’s stretching between us, painfully and fatally.

She slides inside the cab with no more words and I hesitate as I make to close the door.

Images of how good it is between us dominate my thoughts, but dark eyes and a furious scowl are standing between us.

She is of considerable personal interest to me.

Well, that makes two of us, so in a split second decision, I jump in after her and bark out my address to the driver.

Ana turns and the gleam in her eyes lights the shadows surrounding us and as I reach for her hand, I squeeze it firmly and turn and stare out at the depressing streets of Los Angeles where dreams are made or broken.

I wonder which one applies to me.

I have never broughta woman home before. My apartment is my sanctuary. My personal space where I don’t have to explain myself or attempt to impress anyone. I’m not even sure why I brought her here at all. It would have been easier to drop her off at her apartment and give her the choice of whether to invite me in or not. But I don’t want to give her the choice. If I’m doing this, it’s on my terms and live or die, I must stand by my decision.

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