Free His Desire by Mary Eason

Well, what did you expect after Aaron Winters?”
    “No…Sarah, that’s not it. I didn’t sleep with Jeff. He did spend the night, but only because we ended up talking for most of it. No, I’m upset because of Aaron.”
    “Well, no kidding. You’re crazy about the guy after all.”
    “No, that’s not what I meant. Aaron’s back in town. He stopped by this morning. It was horrible.”
    “Oh no.” Sarah forgot all about her anger at that point. She poured two cups of coffee and handed Kylie one. “What happened?”
    “He was so angry.”
    “Who? Jeff or Aaron.”
    “Both, actually both. I doubt that either is speaking to me right now. Jeff certainly isn’t. He told me to lose his number. He never wants to see me again.” Kylie let go of her breath in a sigh. “Come to think of it, I’m surprised you’re still talking to me.”
    “Are you kidding? I haven’t had this much excitement…well, ever. I don’t want to miss a thing. So start talking.”
    “Oh Sarah, I don’t want to talk about it. I want to forget it ever happened.
    All of it.”
    “Well, you can’t because I need details. So, shoot.” Sarah took her usual spot across from Kylie on one of the two chairs in the waiting area.
    Kylie sighed once more and gave in. What was the use in fighting it? Sarah was her friend. She’d been with her through it all. She deserved details. At least one of them could get some entertainment from her mistakes. “What can I say that you can’t guess already? Aaron stopped by to return my aunt’s locket. He found Jeff there. Aaron was angry. He kissed me. Which made Jeff angry enough to figure out the truth. Jeff stormed out. I called him, but he told me he never wanted to see me again. And that, my friend, is the whole sordid story.”
    “Wow.” Sarah sounded impressed. “I’m almost in awe of you. I never would have figured you for the heartbreaker type.”
    Kylie rolled her eyes. “Sorry to disappoint you, kiddo, but I’m not. I’ve just made a really big mess out of my life and I’ve lost two friends in the process. And Jeff was a nice guy. How many chances do you get to date a truly nice guy?”
    “Hum, I can’t say that I didn’t tell you this would happen, but not to worry.
    I’m actually kind of thrilled that you got rid of old Jeff. He was only holding you back. Now you can focus on Aaron.”
    “No—I can’t. If, and I mean if Aaron can forgive me for…everything, I plan on working on repairing our friendship. Nothing more. Aaron’s friendship is important to me. And we both know that as lovers there isn’t a future for us.
    Aaron’s not that type of guy. He’d get tired of me in nothing flat. I’m not his type. Not exciting enough. Not five-foot-eleven, ninety pounds, blond and big breasted enough.”
    “Or maybe you’re just enough. Maybe you’re what he’s been looking for. You never know. I say go for it.”
    Kylie leveled a look Sarah’s way that made it clear she thought her friend had lost her mind. “Have you been reading those romance books again? You know that stuff isn’t real, don’t you? Aaron and I are friends. Nothing more.
    And I don’t want to wreck our friendship for sex.”

    “What if he’s the one?”
    “Oh, for crying out loud. Aaron isn’t the one. For me, or for any other woman. Aaron is good as a friend, lousy as a future. It’s not happening. So can we just drop it for the moment? I have to get started on the cake orders. And I’m way behind already. And don’t you have a delivery to make?”

    “Okay, but I’m not going to let you give up on Aaron. I think you’re selling him short.”
    “Goodbye.” Kylie walked into the kitchen area. She stood in front of the oven listening to Sarah gather her deliveries. It was best not to go down that road again. She knew the truth. If Aaron was being honest, so did he. She just wanted what she couldn’t have.

    * * * *
Aaron was halfway back to Kylie’s apartment when he forced himself to