Page 60 of Mr. Scandalous

The old paranoia crept in. Her fear of getting hurt was far greater than her need for connection.

She couldn’t show him. Not yet.

But you’ve only got a week left.

Thank heavens for that. Thank heavens, she’d had the foresight to slap a time limit on their affair. Because she knew if she kept seeing him, she would fall in love with him. She was already halfway there already, and she knew she wanted much more than Alec could ever offer.

“Tell me…” He raked his fingers through her curls and lightly kissed her forehead “Where did you learn such exotic tricks?”

Oh,thosesecrets.

Relieved, she inhaled deeply. “I read a lot.”

“Babe, the things you just did to me require more than just reading. You’ve had practice.”

Guilty as charged, but she wasn’t about to tell him she’d taken Jayne’s advice and practiced on a banana.

“You know just how to keep me intrigued,” Alec said. “Never revealing too much, hiding behind that sly smile.”

If only he knew!

He was the reason she’d emerged from her chrysalis. Because of him and the need to stoke her creativity. She couldn’t separate the two events—the resurgence of her imagination and her attraction to Alec Ramsey would always be fused in her mind.

“In fact,” he murmured, “I’ve been doing some serious thinking.”

“Uh-oh, sounds dangerous. Lighthearted guy wielding a deep thought.”

“Yeah. I’m taking a big chance here. Going out on a limb.”

“Now that sounds like you. What’s on your mind?”

“Let’s extend things.”

“Extend things?”

“These past three weeks have been very special.”

“Yes.”

“I want to keep seeing you.” His breath fanned her cheek.

Eden’s heart stilled, her mind a wild tilt ofwhat-ifs.

What if she said yes?

Bad idea. Very bad. What if you get hurt?

What if she didn’t?

“I’m sorry, Alec. I thought I was quite clear about my boundaries when we started this.”

“You were. It’s just that...”

“There’s nothing to be gained by seeing each other for a longer period.”

“We could have more fun. What’s wrong with that?” He rubbed a knuckle across her lips.

“Everything must come to an end,” she said, sounding much tougher than she felt. “It’s been great fun, but next Saturday is our last day together.”

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