Living with Temptation by Melinda Hale

and she longed to be downstairs next to the fire
with Dean. But Andrea’s words reminded her of reality. He was a millionaire,
she worked at Walmart. They both lived completely separate lives that she
didn’t see how they could combine.
    Mentioning Desiree brought to the surface a harsh reality: Dean
would never be able to offer her what she longed for. Sure, she could distract
herself by having sex with him. He wouldn’t turn that offer down. Yet Chelsea
couldn’t diminish her developing feelings for him.
    She turned towards the bed, and her eyes widened.
     
    Dean sat pensively on the leather couch, staring into the
flickering flames as they fed on the wood. Chelsea had been on his mind, on his
waking thoughts ever since they kissed that night. And there was one burning
question, one that became even more apparent after their conversation earlier:
was it possible he could find more with her?
    He was intent on seducing her, on fucking her good, even
though his initial goal had been to use her to improve his image. But her time with
him was almost over, and Dean hadn’t considered it. Chelsea, with her
inquisitive blue eyes that promised a night of pleasure, made him start to
question himself.
    Dean heard her coming downstairs and quickly straightened,
looking in her direction. The moment she came into view, her eyes locked onto
his. And she was breathtaking. With her dark blonde hair strung loosely in an
elegant bun, she was dressed in the low cut strikingly red dress he’d left for
her in her room.
    Chelsea approached him, wringing her hands together with
what he assumed was nervousness. She wore a slash of red lipstick, the first
time he’d seen her wearing makeup. As Dean stared at her, he realized what she
looked like. A millionaire. It was as if she’d blossomed, and found confidence.
    “Thank you for this,” she began, gesturing at the dress. His
eyes lowered briefly to her cleavage. “But I’m only borrowing it. I know it
would’ve cost a few hundred…”
    “A thousand actually,” he corrected her. He couldn’t keep
his smile away. Chelsea looked sexy, and it was good to see her happy.
    Her eyes widened, and she briefly frowned with disapproval.
“I…appreciate it. Let’s just leave it at that.”
    Dean smiled. “You look beautiful,” he said. That seemed like
an understatement. “But I don’t want you to be cold.”
    “It’s warm here near the fire,” she replied coyly. Then she
bit her bottom lip, a frown creasing her face. “I know it’s my last night here,
and I’m grateful to you for everything. I love Spring Lake. I don’t know how to
repay you.”
    “You can stay for as long as you want,” Dean insisted as
Chelsea seated herself on the couch.
    He could see the regret in her eyes. She wanted to stay, and
he didn’t want to let her go.
    “I know, and…” she hesitated. The orange glow from the fire
flickered across her bare legs and Dean stared at them hungrily, knowing what
lay beneath that dress, knowing that he wanted Chelsea with everything he had.
Fighting to restrain himself was a great effort.
    Four days with Chelsea wasn’t enough. The guilt he felt from
kissing her and causing the brief distance between them hadn’t eased. Buying
her the dress had been a brief comfort. Her eyes were glimmering, and he knew
his gesture had struck a chord with her as it had with him.
    “I’ve arranged something for you,” Dean announced. He met
her gaze and allowed himself to smile. No doubt Chelsea would be pleased with
his initiative. “I’ve extended your vacation for two weeks.”
    Chelsea’s mouth dropped open. She stared at him as if he’d
slapped her.
    “Excuse me?”
    Not the reaction he expected.
    “I called your manager yesterday, and extended your
vacation. It uses up the last of your annual leave, but -”
    “How dare you!” Chelsea fumed. “If I wanted to stay any longer,
I would organize it myself.”
    Judging from the conversation he had with her manager,