Page 33 of Risks of Temptation
Malin clearing his throat cuts through the air. We both turn toward him.
"Sorry if I'm interrupting."
"You aren't. Naomi and I were just going around the same circle we always do, isn't that right?" I glare at my sister.
"Emilia, please—"
"Just go. I don't want to fight about this anymore."
She steps forward and embraces me. I should push her away, but I don't. I hug her back. "I'm not going to melt. Please stop treating me as if I am," I murmur in her ear.
She squeezes me tighter. When she releases me, she says, "We'll talk later."
I don't reply, and she leaves.
Malin steps forward. "You all right, ma belle?"
I force a smile. "Fine."
He hesitates.
"Really. I'm good. What are you doing here?" I ask.
"Looking for you."
My insides do the happy dance.
Play it cool.
"Oh?"
Something shifts in his expression. "You should get some more arnica on your bruises."
My stomach flips. I blurt out, "Will you do it for me?" Heat runs up my cheeks.
His jaw clenches. "Yes. Hold on." He goes to the opening of the tent, shuts the entrance flap, and zips it so it's closed. He reaches in his pocket and pulls out the tube.
What am I doing?
Don't freak out this time.
I could put it on myself.
But I want his hands on me.
How can this be?
He stands in front of me, and I slowly take off his T-shirt, tossing it on the air mattress. Then I reach behind my back and release my bra. I hold my arm out in front of me and dramatically drop it on top of the shirt.
What am I doing?
Women flirt like that, don't they?
I probably look like a fool.
Why am I flirting? He's going to leave me in a few hours and forever be gone.
How am I able to be practically naked in front of him?
