“Friends?” he murmurs.
“Yes, we are friends, aren’t we?” I confirm firmly.
“Sure,” he says smoothly. “We can be friends with benefits, but in the interest of full disclosure, I should warn you, Miss Fairfax, you’re going to end up falling in love with me.”
I lie back against the pillows and laugh at his arrogance. “You’re insufferable.”
“Insufferable, but correct,” he counters, leaning down suddenly, and cutting me off with a kiss that’s hard and demanding. My hands find their way to his shoulders, pressing against him, and I feel the pull, the need, the strange spark between us. His kiss wipes away all of my thoughts, silencing me with a warmth and intensity that has my head spinning.
I melt into him, the laughter and teasing dissolving into sighs and soft murmurs. For the first time in a long time, I feel untethered and unashamed of my sexuality. I realize that this night, this connection, this reckless adventure is exactly what I need.
A storm has started, and outside, the sea rages relentlessly. And here, in Rhett’s arms, I feel that pulse of danger, thrill, and desire. I feel free. I feel wanted. I feel alive. And for tonight, that’s all I want.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Rhett
Sunlight is sneaking in through the open curtains, forgotten last night. The bright glow paints the room in yellow streaks, and I have to squint until my eyes adjust to it. I remember last night, how good it felt, and I can’t keep the smile off my face. I am a good few steps closer to her choosing me over Mr. Dependability.
For a moment, I let myself linger in the warmth of the bed, the afterglow of last night still clinging to my skin like a private, dangerous secret. Then I hear the shuffle of sheets beside me. Pippa is awake. I sit up, immediately alert.
“Oh my God, Rhett. You’ve got to see this,” she cries. She is practically vibrating with energy and excitement as she thrusts her cell phone at me. Her eyes are wide and sparkling.
I rub a hand over my face, but the corners of my mouth are already twitching into a grin. Her excitement is infectious.
“What is it?” I murmur, reaching for her cell phone, my curiosity piqued.
She practically throws it into my hand and leans on the bed beside me. I scan the screen. It’s a text message and my jaw tightens as I see the sender. George. Of course it’s fucking George. Of course, he was always going to do this. Worm his way back when he realized he was losing her. Weak. Just weak.
Hey Pips, Claudia and I are over because I just can’t stop thinking about you. Are you around? Want to grab a drink? xx
Anger thrums through me, and I have to try hard to resist the urge to throw Pippa’s phone at the nearest wall. With one stupid text message, he has managed to turn Pippa’s excitement about being with me and discovering herself into excitement about him.
I remind myself that as far as she is concerned, this was always the goal. She made that crystal clear from the start. She isn’t betraying me. She is allowed to be happy about this.
And I will just have to keep playing the game. Until I win or die.
I glance up at her, taking in her bright, expectant smile, and clear my throat, forcing a casual tone when I speak.
“Ok,” I say, holding the cell phone slightly away from me, trying not to let my irritation with him show. “You don’t want to appear too eager. George must work to prove that he deserves you. And he’s a long way from that. He dumped you, ghosted you, and even fucking blocked your number. That’s pretty low stuff. If you let him off easily, he’ll just do this again. You know it, and I know it. And it’s time for George to understand it too. You don’t want to be George’s doormat, do you?”
Pippa pouts slightly, but the glint in her eyes tells me she’s enjoying herself immensely. “So, what do I say?”
I let my fingers drum lightly on the bed while I pretend to think. The strategy is simple. I need to come up with something that will have Pippa thinking I’m helping her to get George back,but also something that will make him feel uncertain of his fate and buy me some time. An idea comes to me, and I think it could work. I smile at her.
“You send back a one-word message.Maybe. Nothing else. Don’t react to him and Claudia breaking up, don’t give him any extra details. Make him wonder. Make him chase you. All men love the chase.”
“Maybe, huh?” she says consideringly.
I nod.
Her grin widens, devilish and bright. “You are right. It’s time for him to do some chasing.”
With a small smile that doesn’t betray my satisfaction, I hand her phone back, and watch her thumbs fly over the screen.
She looks up. “Emojis?”
I shake my head decisively.
