Free Living with Temptation by Melinda Hale Page B

drew in a deep breath then chuckled briefly. “You know
more about me than anyone who reads the tabloid reports.”
    Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed he’d been looking
at her. Maybe her sadness had shown in her eyes, but either way, Chelsea was
thankful for his light hearted tone. Hearing his voice brought her from the
past to the present.
    “I’m honored,” she joked.
    Dean’s arm moved. He draped it around her back, resting
firmly against her. Chelsea stared in surprise. In his eyes she saw torment,
but over what, she didn’t know. But she knew what Dean’s gesture meant. He was
offering the comfort of friendship, nothing more.
    Chelsea fell into his embrace, letting her troubles fade
away along with the sound of the waves.
     
    When they returned to Dean’s house, Chelsea went up to her
temporary room while he lit the fire again. Sitting on the bed, Chelsea could
feel her heart pounding in her chest. Dean’s embrace had been comforting, but
it did more than comfort her. It wasn’t just lust which attracted her to him. It
was possible to have a friendship, to be more than just a temporary houseguest.
    Chelsea intended on living here and moving out with no
emotional connections. But Dean was both sexy and troubling. He was in pain,
just as she was. And Chelsea wanted to help.
    She leaned over and picked up her cell phone from the
nightstand. She had been texting Andrea occasionally, but she wanted to talk,
not type out a message. It didn’t take long for Andrea to answer.
    “Chelsea! How’s life in Spring Lake going?”
    “It’s nice,” she replied, biting at her bottom lip. “Dean
isn’t the total playboy the media make him out to be.”
    There was a brief silence as if Andrea was surprised she had
mentioned him.
    “Oh, God,” she groaned. “You’re falling for him aren’t you?
I mean, it’s been over half a week, alone in that house, with all that sexual
tension…”
    Chelsea laughed. “You’re right about the sexual tension. But
it’s a professional arrangement. I mean, we kissed once but -”
    “Don’t get your hopes up,” Andrea warned. “He’s not the type
for a long term relationship. You saw what happened with Desiree.”
    “I know. It’s not going to happen.”
    “Don’t let him seduce you into anything. But if it was me, I
wouldn’t resist!”
    “You’re married…”
    “I’m joking, Chel. What’s up?”
    Chelsea’s thoughts immediately went to the kiss on the couch
in front of the fire. She blushed deeply. That kiss had almost been as hot as
the flames. And the way he touched her…
    Chelsea smiled into the phone. “Thanks for the concern, but
Dean won’t try anything with me.”
    “I don’t want you ending up with another jerk like Ryan.”
    She flinched. “Dean’s not like that.”
    “Or so he wants you to think,” Andrea said. “Any guy can
pretend. Remember Joseph? Anyway, aren’t you moving out soon?”
    Joseph was one of Andrea’s exes.
    Chelsea felt her heart sink. She couldn’t understand why the
thought of moving out of Dean’s place made her hesitant – it was a temporary
arrangement. But time had passed so quickly. She wanted to stay longer, to
experience more of Spring Lake before she returned to Newark. And to be with
Dean. What harm was there in enjoying his company?
    It felt like they were only beginning to build up a
friendship. Dean trusted her enough to tell her about his family, and she
wanted to find a way to repay him for his generosity. Candy didn’t seem good
enough.
    “I’ve got one place organized, all I need to do is say yes
and it’s ready.”
    The day after the kiss, she used Dean’s computer to locate
one of the houses and email an inquiry.
    “Great! I’m happy that it’s working out for you,” Andrea
enthused. A male voice in the background made her hesitate. “Ah, looks like Mr.
Hot Husband wants me. Talk to you later.”
    Chelsea said goodbye, then placed the phone back on the
nightstand. It was silent,