Page 109 of Wicked Fantasies

He nodded, held her close as he looked up. “Carter, I don’t think this is going to happen.”

“Yeah. That was kind of obvious. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow. Lock up on your way out.”

She heard Carter start to leave and she felt she owed him an apology. “I’m sorry,” she said softly.

Carter chuckled. “Nothing to be sorry about, Francesca. Reed’s always been a lucky bastard.”

She wanted to refute his claim, explain that things between her and his cousin weren’t what they seemed, but given her state of undress, the fact Reed was still inside her body, made any denial, any conversation rather difficult.

She heard a door close to the right, and she realized she shouldn’t have been in such a hurry to send him away. Being alone with Reed seemed more threatening, less tolerable than a ménage she didn’t want.

She’d just given into his fantasy, had sex in front of another person and loved it. Not because it was her fantasy, but because it was Reed’s, and there was nothing she wouldn’t do to please him. He looked at her now with total adoration and she knew—knew to her core—that there was nothing she wouldn’t do for him. The power of that realization pummeled her with the force of a hurricane, destroying her. She had turned into exactly what she’d always abhorred. She was her mother—weak-willed, spineless. “I have to leave.”

He shook his head, rising slowly. “No, you don’t.”

“Please, Reed. Let’s just call this fantasy a done deal and move on.” She tried not to wince at the distinct tinge of fear in her voice. He was too observant, too in tune with her. She took a deep breath, trying to still her panic.

She allowed him to take her hand and pull her to a seated position. She was touched when he grabbed the quilt and pulled it over her shoulders. “Why did you ask for a threesome if you didn’t want it?”

She shrugged. How could she explain without giving herself away? She’d asked for the ménage to make him believe she was only interested in the sex. To prove some ridiculous point that they’d never be anything more than colleagues and part-time lovers. “I thought I did want it. I think this is one instance where the fantasy really is better than the reality.” The lie fell smoothly from her lips, and she prayed it was enough to convince him.

He sighed. “I should have asked you again before I brought you here. I should have made sure. I’m sorry.”

He looked as lost as she felt and she struggled to explain, wished there was some way she could make him understand. “Tonight was sexy, Reed. Just as hot as the other fantasies. Really.” It was the truth. Unfortunately, the truth came with a price. A price that was far too high to pay.

His look proved he didn’t believe her. “Go out to dinner with me tomorrow night.”

“No,” she replied quickly. Time to rip off the bandage. Time to make the break. Walking out the door of this bar tonight was going to be hard enough.

“Why not?”

She laughed at his persistence, though her heart was aching. He wasn’t going to make this easy. She dug deep, fought to pull out the Frankie she could control, the one who didn’t take no for an answer. She stepped back into the familiar skin, ignoring how it chafed. “Because I’m finished with this. The game’s over. I’m moving on, hotshot.”

He nodded slowly, narrowed his eyes at her cocky tone. “Moving on?”

“I’ve never lied about what I wanted from you, Reed.”

“You’re right. You haven’t.”

She stood up and started dressing. He didn’t stop her, simply watched with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Never pegged you for a coward.”

She stopped buttoning her blouse to give him a dirty look. “I’m not a coward.”

“You’re running as fast as one.”

She shrugged. “Everyone’s entitled to their opinions. Even if they are damn wrong.” She slipped on her shoes and cursed her shaking hands. She needed to get out fast. She reached for her purse, and then looked at him one last time. “I’m leaving.”

He bent his head to one side, studied her face for several long, painful moments. “Fine.”

She turned toward the door, trying to hide the relief on her face. She’d just reached for the knob when his voice cut through the silence.

“Just remember, Frankie. You can run, but you can’t hide. Not from me.”

Chapter Nine

Frankie and Reed sat in front of Brian’s desk bright and early on Monday morning. One look at his uncle’s face proved he was beyond pissed. Reed had never seen the man lose his temper, never seen him unable to rein in his anger, but this morning was proving to be the exception.

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