Free Captivated by You by Diane Alberts Page B

anyone in their right mind would call you pathetic.”
    “You’d be surprised.”
    She walked past him into the living room and held up the magazine on her coffee table. “ People Magazine calls you the most eligible bachelor in Hollywood—for the second year in a row. We all know that magazines are never wrong, so you can’t argue with them.”
    “That doesn’t count.” He snorted. “They only say those things about me because they don’t know the real me.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, well, I used to know you. Does that count?”
    She did know him. She knew him better than anyone else on this planet, whether she realized it or not. With her, he’d let his guard down. She’d been his only real friend growing up, maybe ever. He had lots of friends nowadays, but none could be trusted not to share his secrets with the tabloids.
    Their bond had never gone further than friendship for various reasons. And yet … being in her company for a mere three minutes already had him wanting to touch her. Kiss her. He wanted to bury himself in her.
    He cleared his throat and looked at the door, his heart pounding in his ears. Where was all of this desire coming from? Sure, it had been a while since he’d gotten laid, but this was different. With Lacey, it felt more like a need. A need to hold her close and kiss her until she couldn’t remember anything except his name. If he stayed here, he might not be able to keep his hands to himself. No. He should make a phone call and charter a plane immediately, before he did something he would regret. “Maybe I should go.”
    She raised a brow. “You’re welcome to spend the night. I don’t think anyone will come to tow you out until the snow stops. Morning at the very earliest.”
    “Yeah, but …” He gestured at the stairs. “You’re alone. I don’t think your parents would like me staying here without their permission.”
    She choked on a laugh. “You’re kidding, right? You do realize I’m not seventeen anymore? I think it’s okay if an old friend of the family stays the night.”
    If she knew that the family friend she spoke of wanted nothing more than to carry her upstairs and explore every inch of her naked body … she might not feel that way. His cheeks heated, and he ducked his head. “Yeah. Of course.”
    “Then come in. Take off your shoes. Go sit by the fire.” Her voice grew more distant, and he lifted his head to find her. She strode toward the kitchen, her hips swaying with a grace and seduction he had a feeling she didn’t even try to achieve. “I was about to open up a bottle of champagne, so I’ll grab another glass for you.”
    He forced his eyes away from her ass and turned to look out the window. The snow fell in rapid succession, showing no signs of easing up anytime soon. He couldn’t drive away from here, and there was no other house within walking distance. Looked like his options were to stay inside with her—or brave the ice and snow outside for the next twelve hours wearing his Gucci shoes and a lightweight jacket that did more for his style than his personal comfort.
    Eyeing the crackling fire in the living room, he kicked off his shoes, walked into the living room, and sank onto the couch. He knew what he had to do. What he should do. But instead, he decided to break a few rules, have a little fun. After all, he hadn’t seen Lacey in eight long years, and he wasn’t ready to leave just yet.
    He would stay, but he’d keep his damn hands to himself no matter how tempted he was to see if her lips tasted as good as he’d always imagined they would. He had no right barging into her life and taking advantage of her, only to disappear in the morning. He’d spend an hour or two with her then crash on the couch until morning.
    Alone.

Chapter Two
    Lacey grabbed a champagne flute with shaking fingers. So the boy she secretly wanted throughout high school, the very same boy she’d compared every single one of her boyfriends to ever