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“Yes,” she whispered. But at the look of triumph in his eyes, she shook her head quickly. It was too hard. She couldn’t do what he was asking. “But I can’t remain here.”
“Then we’ll go back to France; tomorrow morning.” As though it were all so simple. As though he could just move the pieces of their lives into place.
“Your mother needs you,” she pointed out.
“She will still need me in a few days.”
“I can’t ask you to leave her. Not for any longer than you already have.”
“You’re not asking me.”
“But if I were to leave, then you’d remain here, wouldn’t you?”
His eyes narrowed. “Then stay here with me. There is plenty of space.”
“No.” A swift denial, so his lips pulled downwards.
“You don’t like it?”
“I like it very much.”Too much.She squeezed her eyes together. “I just think it’s better if we keep things simple. This was about protecting me from a crazy stalker, and you’ve done that. My ankle is healed enough. There is no longer a single reason for me to stay.” Except one, and it terrified her.
“Not even to spend more time with me?” Her stomach tightened.
“Is that what you want?”
“Would I ask, if it weren’t?”
Frustration spiraled through her, morphing into something like anger. “Damn it, Leonidas, I’m not in the mood to talk in riddles.Whydo you want me to stay?”
“Isn’t that obvious?” Hope was an arrow, forcing its way through her, taking all of her control not to allow it to fly free and without restrain.
“No. You’re going to have to spell it out.”
“You’re been through a lot,” he said with a lift of his shoulders. “Did you think my offer to help would end with the capture of your stalker?”
Hope splintered apart. There was nothing here for her. “You’ve done more than enough.”
“I don’t understand. You like spending time with me, don’t you?”
“Ilikemany things, Leonidas, but none of them has ever gotten in the way of my career before. Nothing ever will.” She clung to that defiance, to that promise, even when it was no longer how she truly felt. She had to fake it, just until she could get out of there, and resume her normal life. “I’ve been running for over a year, looking over my shoulder. Now it’s time for me to go home and get on with it.”
“We’re going in circles here. I’m not asking you to stay indefinitely. Just another night or two.”
Anger exploded. “Anothernightor two? Why didn’t you say so? If this is just about having sex one last time, then let’s go. We’ve still gotthisnight.”
Shock had his head pulling back, and she felt the words jar in the night sky around them. They were too harsh, too angry.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Oh no?” She pushed, regardless, refusing to be cowered by his reaction. “Are you sure?”
“Mila, this hasneverbeen just about sex…”
“Bullshit!” She roared, then lifted her hands to her face, pressing them there. “That’s all this was! Chemistry! We both know you’ll replace me by the end of the week.”
“Is that really what you think of me?”
“Do you blame me? You’ve told me how you view women and sex enough times for me to have a pretty clear picture of your lifestyle. You’ve told me what Benji thinks of you and your lifestyle. Am I wrong? Is he?”
