Page 64 of Barron's Second Chance
She eyed the armchair she had just vacated, wondering whether she should retake her seat there or sit on the other end of the couch next to him.
Quickly making a decision, Eden strode to the other side of the couch, grabbing one of the cushions to place on her lap in an attempt to hide her bare legs.
Their bodies were turned towards each other and the air crackled with sexual tension, despite the space between them.
She met his eyes, their depths swirling with a mixture of sadness and longing.
His gaze left to roam her features, taking in her bare face and rosy cheeks. She had pulled her hair up and secured it haphazardly with a clip, which caused tendrils to fall around her neck.
"Firstly, I want to apologize for my behavior today."
He blew his breath out, collecting himself before he continued.
"Truth is, I was jealous." He shook his head, a humorless laugh escaping.
"Who am I kidding? Iamjealous. I know I have no right to be, especially after what I've done to you in the past. But there you have it," he flicked his wrist, "The mere thought of you with another man makes my blood boil."
She frowned, trying to ignore the jolt of thrill at his admission.
"That's a little hypocritical. You haven't exactly been celibate sitting around waiting for me."
He nodded, his expression tortured as he turned to her. "I know, I know. It makes zero sense. I lost my head back there. I'm so sorry, E."
She nodded, acknowledging and accepting his apology.
"Can I please explain about Tracey?"
She held her breath, twisting her hands on top of the pillow. "If you want," she said with a careless shrug.
He turned more fully towards her, his expression earnest in its appeal.
"I didn't lie about only having temporary sexual partners who weren't locals. That's what Tracey was initially. She was only hired on as a seasonal worker during our busy months. She had told us that she was moving on once she saved a bit of money."
He shrugged as an embarrassed flush painted his cheekbone red.
"So, I started up a purely sexual relationship with her."
Her stomach swayed uncomfortably at his words, but outwardly she appeared unaffected.
"Why only with out-of-towners?" she asked. "You weren't ready for a serious relationship?"
He rubbed his hands down his face, sighing wearily. "I didn't want the complication of seeing the same person around town or having them think something more permanent would occur between us."
"Why?" She pushed again, wanting to know his reasoning.
He placed his elbows on his thighs; head bowed in a moment of silence. He then turned to her, meeting her stare head-on. When his gaze became too intense, she moved down to his mouth.
But that was a bad idea as it drew her attention to his full lips.
"Because I couldn't imagine ever getting serious with another girl again who wasn't you," he simply stated.
Eden's eyes darted up to his in shock; her mouth dropped open as the full meaning behind his words penetrated. Her heart hammered in her chest, unable to comprehend what she was hearing.
He quirked his lips at her response. "I didn't mean to just blurt that out." he shrugged casually in a “what have I got to lose” gesture. "But I'm getting tired of keeping my feelings for you to myself."
"Feelings?" She whispered.
He slid across the remaining space between them until his knee almost touched hers. Eden’s back went ramrod straight as just the slightest brush of his body caused her senses to heighten.
