Living with Temptation by Melinda Hale Page B

dress. Dean knew, as much as
Chelsea tried to pretend otherwise, that she loved the dress and wanted to keep
it. Her sarcastic front was part of her way of deflecting her feelings. Just
as I do.
    “It’s your gift. I don’t mind what you choose to do with
it.”
    A smirk curved her lips. “Maybe I’ll donate it to charity.”
    “You sure about that?”
    She winced. “In all seriousness, I am. Keeping it…”
    “What?” he prompted gently.
    Chelsea let out a heavy sigh. “It reminds me of this. Us.
This life you have, and how easily you can just buy a thousand dollar dress and
give it to me. Like it means nothing.”
    He straightened himself and studied her. Her slim body sat
upright on the couch, her lips slightly parted as she turned her gaze away from
him. Something pulled at Dean, a compassionate emotion. Seeing her like that
made him feel worse that he was intending to use her for his own benefit.
    But she looked so damn sexy.
    He felt himself getting hard. Dean stole glances at her,
wondering what she would do if he made a move to kiss her again. They both
wanted it, he’d felt her need as she lay beneath him, saw the gleam in her eyes.
It was only a matter of which one of them would give into temptation first.
    Dean raised an eyebrow. “Of course it means something.”
    “It’s just…weird. For me. I mean, this is what you’d do for
a girlfriend.”
    “It’s only a gift. Don’t analyze it. We’re keeping it
professional.”
    She blushed. “I know, it’s just…Sorry. I can’t find the
words to say how much I appreciate this. I didn’t expect anything. It means a
lot to me.”
    He allowed himself to smile, but it felt forced. Chelsea
wasn’t the only woman he’d given extravagant gifts to. Still, Dean was
surprised that she was flustered by it. The last woman he gave a gift to smiled
and asked for a gold necklace.
    “And I should thank you for extending my vacation. I know my
manager wouldn’t do it if I asked.”
    Her voice pulled at him. Dean knew he wasn’t doing it for
her, but for himself. But he could never tell her that. Meeting Chelsea near
the beach gave nearby media reporters the opportunity for photos, but he hadn’t
recognized anyone. Another pointless effort.
    He wanted the media issue out of the way, and off his mind.
Seducing Chelsea would come after. He wanted her – and what Dean Westley
wanted, he always ended up getting.
    “It’s my pleasure.”
    Chelsea smiled, but Dean noticed the slight cringe in her
lips. She’s embarrassed by how she reacted before, he noticed.
    “There’s been no pleasure,” she said lightly.
    Surprised by her remark, he decided to push things further.
He winked. “And about that kiss…”
    “It was a heat of the moment thing,” Chelsea insisted, her
smile fading.
    Dean watched her, wondering if she believed those words
herself. Then he relented himself to a nod. He didn’t want to push her. After
all, they had more time to spend together. She’s still moving on from her
marriage. It’s not time to get in the way of that.
    Before the end of the two weeks were up, he would have her.
    “It was,” he agreed. “I’ll get dinner ready.”
    Dean went to the kitchen and prepared the meal. Home cooked
burger and fries, from the most expensive ingredients he could find. With the
money he had he wanted quality, and to impress Chelsea.
    As Dean took the plates out to the living room, he caught
sight of the astounded expression on her face.
    “Wow, you’re quite the chef.”
    He shrugged modestly and watched as she shoved a handful of
fries in her mouth. When Chelsea ate, she didn’t eat delicately, he noticed. Dean
stopped himself from smiling. How could a small habit of hers affect him? She
was a houseguest, they were friends. It wasn’t like he’d fallen for her.
    “I’m full of surprises,” Dean said wryly. He seated himself
opposite her.
    Her eyes glittered as she looked at him from across the
room. “I know you are. Can I ask you