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“Can I ask you something?” Her voice is soft.

“Sure.”

“What do you want, Pascal?”

I turn and meet her eyes. They’re wide, and so full of want that it’s hard to breathe.

“What do you mean?” I ask, even though I know exactly what she means.

“I mean, all four of us agreed to the terms for the month, for lack of a better word. But you still keep your distance. What are you afraid of? Is it me? Is it the scandal with my dumb ex? Are you worried about being seen with me? Afraid to even touch me?”

I frown. That last part couldn’t be further from the truth. If she knew how much I want to touch her, she’d never think it.

“I’m not afraid of you, Nina,” I say carefully, watching her fight with the grinder. A peppercorn must be stuck. “And I’m definitely not afraid to touch you. That’s not the problem.”

“Then what is it?” she presses. “Please, be honest with me. You’ve been so thoughtful since I got here. And I can tell there’s a side of you that you’re holding back. Why?”

I cover her hands with mine on the grinder. I want to be careful with my answer. I don’t want to lie to her. But I also don’t want to lose the grip I still have on myself.

“Like this,” I say, twisting the grinder slowly between our hands. “It’ll loosen the stuck peppercorn.”

After a few seconds and a good shake, it works, and black pepper dusts the sauce.

I haven’t forgotten her question. I’m just taking my time.

“I’m very attracted to you, Nina.” I keep my eyes on the pan while I say it. It’s easier than looking at her. If I look at her, I’ll set down the spoon, and I won’t stop at words. “And not acting on it gets harder every day.”

“Then why don’t you?” Her shoulder presses against my arm.

The heat isn’t just coming from the stove anymore.

“You already know why,” I say. “I told you the night we wrapped presents. Jarek can keep things casual. Zander can at least pretend to. I can’t. If I touch you—and believe me, I want to—I’ll fall for you. And I don’t think I’d ever be able to call this temporary.”

Nina lets out a soft, almost silent gasp. Just as the sauce starts to bubble, I take both the pan and myself off the heat.

“Sit.” I nod toward the table. “I’ll bring you dinner. Glass of wine?”

“White, please.”

I set the plate in front of her and pour her a glass of Chardonnay. She looks up at me with those eyes, and she has to know she’s wearing down what little resolve I have left.

CHAPTER 18

JAREK

“Thanks for running errands with me today,” Nina chirps from the passenger seat. “I’m getting the full VIP treatment lately. Pascal cooked me a delicious dinner last night, and now I get to ride around in this fancy sports car instead of trekking around in my sedan.”

I toss my head back and laugh. “That sedan of yours has nearly bald tires. The least I can do is make sure you don’t slide off the side of the mountain in that metal contraption. Besides, I could use a latte. The coffee maker at the house does its job, but there’s nothing like the ridiculously sugary syrups at the coffee shop.”

She giggles, and we head to the post office to ship out a few things.

Before I even pull into a parking spot, my phone rings through the car speakers. It’s my publicist. I let it go to voicemail, and he calls right back, so I resign myself to getting it over with.

Otherwise, he’ll keep blowing up my phone, and I won’t be able to give my full attention to Nina.

“Hello?” I sound annoyed on purpose. He should know better than to bother me on vacation.

“Jarek, sorry for the interruption, but we need to talk.”