Page 25 of Playing with Seduction

“Hey, you’re the one who said do whatever it takes to make this work. That’s what I’m doing. Or have you forgotten the plan?” Bree responded, her heart racing. Not because she was arguing with her best friend. Because Bex was right, and they both knew it.

“I know what I said, but I also know you. The girl who wears her heart on her sleeve, and who is really attracted to this guy.” Bex sighed. “I don’t get this guy. First, he tells you he doesn’t believe in anything serious. Next, he’s inviting you to spend a week with him exploring North Carolina. What the hell? Is this some kind of sick mind game?”

“Doesn’t seem like his style. Besides, now that I’ve had time to think about it, he’s right. I need a better understanding of the locale. Maybe I’ve been approaching this the wrong way.”

“See, that right there is what I’m talking about. He’s got you doubting yourself. I thought the plan was to see him as a competitor. The enemy.” Bex’s Yorkshire terrier, Sheba, barked frantically in the background. Her friend was likely pacing the floor and gesturing wildly, working the poor thing up.

“And don’t we always say we need to know our enemy in order to defeat him?”

“If you really mean it, it’s a good plan,” Bex conceded. “But it feels like you’re trying to convince yourself. Are you sure this isn’t just about spending some alone time with Wesley Adams?”

Bree stared at herself in the mirror for a moment before dropping her gaze to the phone. “I’m sure.”

“Then good luck, but you call me the second you feel yourself falling for this guy. I’ll knock some sense back into you, even if I have to fly out there.” The smile was back in her friend’s voice.

They both laughed. “Promise.”

“Good. Anything else I should know about?”

Bree’s gut churned. Was she that transparent?

She hadn’t told Bex about the messages from her ex. Bree knew how her best friend would react. Without knowing some of the uglier details of the breakup three years ago, Bex had been ready to take a bat to Alex’s precious car.

It was just a few voicemails and a text message. He’d get bored and give up when she didn’t respond. So why get Bex upset for nothing? Besides, she didn’t want to talk about Alex. She’d given him three years of her life, and he didn’t deserve another moment of it.

“Everything is fine.”

“You’re a terrible liar, Brianna Evans,” Bex said. “But whether it’s Wes or something else that’s bothering you, I’m here when you’re ready to talk.”

Bree ended the call and hoped like hell that everything would be all right.

* * *

Wes leaned against the hood of the car, his hands shoved into his pockets as he waited for Bree.

An entire week together. Alone.

What had he been thinking when he proposed this trip?

That there was no way in hell Bree would agree to his request. If he’d bet money on it, he’d have lost his flat back in London and everything in it, because Bree called his bluff. Which left him no choice but to go through with it.

Not one of my better ideas.

Nor was it part of some calculated grand plan. He’d planned this trip two weeks ago, only he’d intended to travel solo. After two decades of living abroad, he was out of touch. He needed this research trip as much as Brianna did. Besides, time on the road alone would’ve given him a chance to clear his head, still spinning from the reality of his mother’s illness.

Then there was the dark truth that he didn’t dare admit, not even to himself.

He wanted an excuse to spend time with Bree.

A small part of him hoped that the competitive spirit that made Bree Evans a world class athlete would prompt her to accept his challenge.

Wes glanced at his watch. Five minutes past their scheduled departure.

Maybe she planned to leave him waiting—her retribution for how he’d treated her in London.

Served him right. He’d been an ass, even if he’d done it for the right reasons. Then he heard her voice.

“Sorry I’m late. My mom called as I was leaving.” Bree pulled a small carry-on bag behind her. Slim, dark-wash jeans hugged her luscious curves. She wore a red-and-white striped blouse with a wide band at the waist.

---