Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 87091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
So no, she wasn’t going to pick up the phone. “No hay posibilidad,” she said into her open fridge, which she realized she’d been staring into for some time. She closed the door decisively.
And yet, even as she said those words, she knew she was partly wrong. Damien wasn’t that kind of guy—at least, he’d never been with her. What he did on the road, she preferred not to know, frankly. She’d heard enough rumors over the years. When he was pictured with women in London, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, and Sydney, she’d always reminded herself that she wasn’t one of those girls. She was his friend. Those girls came and went, but she remained a constant in his life, and that was important to her.
But now, had she become one of those girls? Well, she hadn’t, because she hadn’t invited him in, and that had been the hardest thing she’d ever done—forcing one foot in front of the other and walking away. She’d lain awake for the rest of the night, her whole body tingling from his kiss, consumed with desire after experiencing a glimpse of what their bodies could do together. She’d almost called him countless times. She wanted to whisper, Come over and do what you want with me. But she’d held firm.
At least she’d done that. At least she’d walked away and slammed the door on the possibility of what could have happened.
She opened the fridge again and poured herself a glass of hibiscus iced tea. It was her mom’s recipe, and it always refreshed her no matter how many long hours she’d worked, or spent dancing. But today it didn’t work. It was like she had this endless thirst that couldn’t be quenched. Or rather, it could be, but only by the taste of Damien’s lips. She shuddered with pleasure at the thought and then drained the glass. She had to get a grip.
She began to tidy away some of the bridal magazines that she kept for clients, methodically stacking them in the cute colored racks she’d bought to keep her work notebooks and magazines organized, with matching pots to keep her pens and highlighters safe. Nothing felt so good to her as knowing where everything was and being able to find it easily. It was one of the reasons that her business had taken off. She could locate the perfect example of a bridal bouquet or balloon display within seconds and send it over to her client. It was so gratifying, and yet…
As she sorted through some examples of gold-embossed party invitations, she couldn’t stop thinking that all she wanted was for Damien to turn up at her door and throw her onto her bed.
“Ay dios mio!” she groaned to her potted plants. Was she ever going to be free of these sexy thoughts? She picked up her red watering can and gave them all a drink. If her own lust couldn’t be quenched, then at least she could look after her plants.
Oh, how she ached for Damien in ways she had never ached for anyone before. It was so unfair. She needed to talk to someone, and the first person who came to mind was Erin. Erin, with her quiet good sense. She’d never admitted to Erin that she had secret feelings for her brother, but Erin saw more than most people. Crystal strongly suspected her best friend knew she’d had a raging crush on her brother for fifteen years.
Before she went completely crazy, she texted Erin.
* * *
Can you come over?
On my way.
* * *
That was the great thing about a friend you could rely on. When Crystal needed her, Erin was there, and it worked both ways.
When Erin arrived, she was carrying a couple of takeout coffees from Anna’s Café, and the two of them sat on Crystal’s small but comfortable couch. Crystal took a sip of her cappuccino and thanked her friend. It was creamy and delicious and she immediately felt a bit better—that is, until she remembered what she was about to confess.
Erin’s warm hazel eyes were kind as she said, “So what’s up?”
Crystal took a deep breath and then blurted, “I think I’ve done a really stupid thing. I kissed your brother.”
Erin sipped her coffee reflectively. “I could ask which one, but I’m pretty sure I know.”
Her response eased the tension, and Crystal laughed. “Yeah. Nick’s approved every computer I ever owned. If I need a house built, Finn is absolutely the guy I’d go to. Arch is married. So yeah, that leaves Damien.”
“You kissed Damien,” Erin repeated. She didn’t sound shocked or even particularly surprised.
Crystal went cold. “He’s already told you, hasn’t he?” She checked her watch. “It’s only ten a.m.”
Erin looked at her with understanding and empathy. “I would no more break my brother’s confidence than I would break yours.” Her voice trailed off and the silence said it all.