Entangled Love by Jessica Gray Page A

her, Michael completely forgot his reasons for keeping her at arm’s length, and allowed his inner demons to run free.
     
    After getting her back to his hotel room, he proceeded to make sweet love to the only woman who had ever owned his heart. Evelyn had been shyly responsive, a testament to her inexperience in the art of lovemaking. Michael made sure to take her to the top of the mountain, and was in awe as he watched her fall off the precipice.
     
    As they both came down, reality began to set in. Evelyn was content to snuggle in Michael’s arms, and when she gave his chest a kiss and wrapped her arms around him tightly, it was if cold water had been thrown in Michael’s face.
     
    The reality of what had just happened was a bitter companion and Michael’s anger and resentment for the past rose to the surface.

The Arrangement
     
    Feeling the tension invade Michael’s body, Evelyn pushed herself up and pulled the sheet around her to offer protection. Sleeping with Michael had been the most beautiful experience of her life, not that she had many to compare it to. The two men she had allowed such liberties had been more friend than lover in her mind, and the result of sleeping with them, had done nothing to change that opinion. Neither episode had been deemed worthy of repeating by either her or the gentlemen in question. By mutual consensus, no more dates had been scheduled and Evelyn had been fine with that.
     
    Michael grabbed his boxers and quickly donned them upon leaving the bed. He noticed that Evelyn averted her eyes the entire time and smirked at the blush that stained her cheeks. After what had just happened, how could she still be embarrassed?
     
    Retrieving the courtesy robe from the bathroom, he handed it to her and then turned his back, allowing her a small measure of privacy to put it on. Evelyn took the offered robe and gratefully pulled it around her, tying the belt. It appeared that what had been a wonderful experience to her, was being deemed a mistake by Michael. Well that was fine, she would gather her clothes up and go home. Her heart couldn’t stand another disappointment right now.
     
    Searching around for her clothes, Michael turned and watched her gather them all up. He followed her as she searched the living area, finally locating her other sock and her shoes. As she turned to enter the bathroom, he stopped her, “Evelyn, we need to talk about what just happened.”
     
    Evelyn stopped, but didn’t turn around, “Do we? I don’t think so.  We’re both tired, and things got out of control. Now, I’m going to get dressed and then get out of your hair so we can both get some much needed sleep.”  Evelyn was proud that she had been able to deliver her response with a controlled voice. She needed her wits around her and if she allowed herself to dwell on what had just happened she was liable to fall apart.  The last thing she wanted to do was let Michael see her cry.
     
    Taking a step towards her, Michael reached out and tried to turn her around to face him, “Evelyn, we really need to talk about this.” Feeling her stiffen beneath his hand, he dropped his arm and took a step back.
     
    Evelyn swallowed, but turned and looked at him, “Michael, we’re both tired right now. I need some sleep and so do you…”
     
    “What just happened can’t be ignored.”
     
    “Fine. Talk.”
     
    Michael took a step towards her, and reached up to push her hair behind her ear again. “What just happened was awesome. It’s been a long time since I’ve actually enjoyed sex with a woman enough to want a repeat. I want a repeat with you.”
     
    Evelyn wasn’t quite sure where he was going with this. Making love with Michael had been one of the best experiences of her life… Wait a minute!  Sex – he called what had just happened sex?
     
    “Michael, I …”
     
    Holding a finger up to silence her, he continued, “I’d like to continue seeing you while I’m here.”
     
    Evelyn was