Free Chosen Heart by Ann Stewart, Stephanie Nash Page B

in
embarrassment but in astonishment at his audacity.  “What kind of question
is that?”
    “I’m just trying to
understand.  You say you aren’t involved, yet he texts you every waking
minute of the day.  You say you’re just friends, but you can’t really just be friends with someone you’ve had sex with,” he rants, but ends with a
smile that would shatter your soul.
    “Are you not friends with any of
your exes?”
    “God, no!”  But as he says
it, I wonder idly how many girlfriends he’s had.
    “Well, I think it’s sad that
you’re okay with breaking hearts and not making an effort to at least mend
what’s broken with the friendship.”
    “If it didn’t work out, then
there’s nothing to mend.  It’s as simple as that,” he suppresses a
laugh.  I don’t think this conversation warrants a laugh, but maybe he
sees my blood boiling.  Calm down, Ely!
    “He’s my friend and for my own
reasons, I’m making an effort to keep him in my life.  Why do we keep
having this conversation?  Does my friendship with him bother you that
much?”
    “It doesn’t,” he shrugs. 
“I’m just making small talk.”
    “I guess it’s good for both of us
that my relationship status doesn’t have any bearing on how well you sleep at
night, Mr. James.”  With a pout I cross my arms and face the window.
    Letting me have a moment, I
suddenly feel a finger guiding my chin, as my stare is turned towards his
crystal blue eyes.  “Hey, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
    “I just don’t understand
you.  You’re very confusing.”  His touch is disarming and if it
wasn’t for the fact that I am already sitting, my knees would probably buckle.
    “It’s better this way. 
Trust me.” Shaking his head, Alex sighs.  I can’t put my finger on what is
keeping him from giving into me.  Not that I was on a man hunt or
anything, but I know the moment I met him I was instantly attracted to
him.  Even before the elevator, at the gas station, all I wanted was to
feel his touch.
    A sudden thought sparks, “Are you
in a relationship?”  That would be a reasonable explanation as to why he
hasn’t taken every opportunity I’ve given him.  It troubles me to think
about how many women have been up to Red Rock with him before.
    Sitting back in his seat, a sexy
grin spreads across his lips.  “Who wants to know?”
    Blushing head to toe, I scrounge
every ounce of courage I have.  “Well…me.  You know about my
relationship status.  It’s only fair that I know yours.”
    “I’m not with anyone,
Elyssa.”  I turn my head to face the window, covering my mouth to hide my
colossal smile.  “I don’t have much time for relationships between my job
and my grandmother.  Speaking of her, I would appreciate if you wouldn’t
tell anyone at the office about her situation.”
    I gasp.  “Of course
not!  I would never.”  What he shared with me was very
personal.  I would never reveal anything that would hurt him, or anyone
for that matter.  I know my place.
    “I’m curious.  If you are
such good friends, why did you guys break up?”
    Why, or should I say, how did I
know that he wouldn’t drop the subject of Cole so easily?  I would love to
spend all night talking with him, but there are some things I’m not ready for him
to know.  Cole doesn’t even know the full, real reason I broke up with
him.  Alex would judge me and then this fantasy would end.  I would
like this to soak this in for a little while longer; it’s too exhilarating to
give it up now.  “That’s a story for another time.”
    “Sure, but one day you will tell
me.”
    Starting the car, we head back
into town, and I wonder idly if I should take that as a threat or a
promise.  Either way, I’ll take it, because it means he wants to spend
more time with me.

C HAPTER 5
     
    Monday, September 24, 2012
    I choke as my heart literally
catapults into my throat.  Drinking in the sight of him, as he stands
there looking all sorts