Seduced by Stratton (The English Brothers Book 4) by Katy Regnery Page A

under ‘impulsive behavior?’”
    She bit her bottom lip and took a deep breath, searching his eyes. “Impulsive behavior between friends ?”
    There was a very real part of Stratton that cringed internally to hear her define them as “friends,” even though that’s what they were and that’s all they could be as long as he was still committed to saving Amy from Étienne.
    “Yeah,” he said softly. “Between friends.”
    “Under ‘Impulsive behavior between friends that won’t be repeated?’”
    He heard the warning in her voice and tightened his lips as he looked away from her. The right answer was yes, but he couldn’t form the word.
    “Stratton?”
    His eyes cut to hers, full of regret and longing. He felt it. He could feel it all over his body, the way he wanted her, the way he liked her, the way he simply couldn’t have her.
    “Yes. Impulsive behavior between friends that won’t be repeated.”
    She looked away from him then, and he could have sworn he saw her eyes glisten with tears. He hated himself for hurting her, but he couldn’t abandon Amy. Unless he figured out another way to save her from a life of being Étienne’s plaything, he simply wasn’t free.
    Val’s voice was tired and sad. “You needed a favor from me. What is it?”
    What he should have said was, Nothing. I don’t need a favor anymore . And then he should have walked away from her and left her alone. But different words were suddenly tumbling out of his mouth before he could stop them.
    “My dancing skills are rusty, and my brother’s wedding is a few weeks away, and I was wondering if you could tutor me a little bit. You know, so I’m up to scratch by the big day?”
    Her lips parted softly, and she tilted her head to the side, her brows furrowing as she stared at him. “You want dancing lessons? That’s the favor?”
    “If you have time to help me brush up, yes.”
    “But you looked just fine on the dance floor today.”
    “I could be better.”
    “Oh. Well, okay. Of course I’ll give you some lessons. It’s the least I can do. After all, you saved Zia Angelina’s business. We can start tomorrow if you want. I have a class at three and you’re welcome to join.”
    He nodded, feeling sad and relieved and terrible and excited all at once. “Great.”
    “But Stratton?” Her voice was low and grave, her eyes dark and luminous, reflecting the setting sun.
    “What?”
    “I need to say this . . .” She took a deep breath before continuing. “What happened tonight? Don’t let it happen again. I may look tough, but my skin’s as thin as any other girl’s.”
    A wave of shame and confusion washed over him, and he winced inside, feeling terrible. “I understand.”
    “This girl that’s—that you love . . .”
    He waited for her to finish, staring at the last remnants of an orange sun between the black tree branches before it left them in darkness.
    “I hate her a little bit,” she finally finished.
    When he looked over at Val, she stared miserably out at the small park for a few seconds before standing up.
    He stood beside her, shaking his head when she bent her neck back to gaze at him with glassy eyes. “Don’t, Val. Don’t hate her. Her life has sadness in it that yours doesn’t. You have your studies and dancing and good friends and sisters—”
    “But she has you.”
    Her voice broke on the word “you” and Stratton winced. Her eyes were bright and broken, staring up at him, and he forcibly retrained himself from reaching for her and wrapping his arms around her.
    She took a deep, slightly shaky breath before turning to offer him a very small smile. “See you tomorrow at three. You shouldn’t need more than a lesson or two.”
    Then she turned without a word, walking back through the wrought iron gates of the park. Stratton stood still as a light snow started to fall, his hands fisted by his sides as he watched her walk away.

 
 
 
CHAPTER 6
Say No Once In A While
     
    It was harder than