Page 150 of Champagne Fizz

“That’s a shame.”

I shake my head. “You knew this was too sexy when you bought it.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Then you were deluded in your hope.”

“I feel that way with most things when it comes to you.”

Our eyes lock and my skin heats. I feel like I’m wearing that yellow bikini: naked and sexy and in love with the desire it lights in Simon’s eyes. But it also feels like a trick, and to hope would only put us back on that beach with Simon running for the ocean.

“You’re playing with fire,” I say softly, and Simon nods. “You’re the one who said you can’t handle me.”

“True.”

“Then why would you give me this?”

“Torture?”

I laugh, loving the way the silk shudders with my breath. “Torture for both of us,” I point out.

I can’t hide it. My nipples are hard. My skin is tacky with a mist of desire. Heck, Lady Lada is full-on hula dancing under this yellow sheath.

“I want to touch you,” Simon says, “but I know I can’t.”

“Because I haven’t forgiven you?”

Simon shakes his head. “I won’t be able to stop.”

I nod.

He really shouldn’t have bought this dress, and I shouldn’t have indulged him by putting it on.

“Why did you tell Arie that you might leave Flambé?” I ask.

He looks away as if mentioning Arie is a razorblade under his nails. “I’m so sorry she acted like that,” he apologizes. “She was so awful, and you didn’t deserve it. Honestly, she’s jealous that I like you so much, but that doesn’t make it alright. You deserve so much more than her acting like a possessive child. You deserve so much more than me, in fact. You deserve everything. Patience. Lust. Joy. Love. Whatever you want at a pace you can handle.”

“Thank you, Simon. I appreciate you saying that. But leaving Flambé only hurts you. It doesn’t give me any of those things.”

He nods, aware of this fact. “I know,” he agrees. “But God forbid I could actually handle you.” A small smile hooks his cheek. “Only, Arie would stop at nothing to ruin anything between us. I can’t work with someone who’s going to use our business to sabotage me, much less be friends with someone who would do that, or be so awful to someone I’m in love wi—” his breath catches and his eyes snap to me. He coughs uncomfortably and corrects himself, “Someone I care about.”

Simon blushes uncomfortably and something in my gut turns molten.

Simon cares about me?

Duh!Lady Lada says.Why do you think he’s so scared of us?

“Fuck,” I swear.

“What?” Simon looks at me like I just slapped him.

I didn’t minced oath that one. I just let it fly. And I did it because I’m pissed. Pissed at Arie, yes, but I’m also pissed at myself. I’m pissed that I’ve let everything Arie said overshadow the person Simon actually is. I’m pissed I let myself believe Simon would backstab me, when the truth is he’d clearly take my secrets to the grave. He’d even abandon his best friend for the way she’s behaved. And the truth is, he’s so damn into me he ran away.

Simon likes me. No, Simonmorethan likes me.

Welcome to the party!Lada sings.

“Fuck!” I swear again, and Simon’s eyes widen.

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