Seducing The Boss (Pulse #2) - Mari Carr Page 0,57

in her heels.

“Five minutes,” he repeated, before adding a “Please.” Then he headed toward the doors. He forced himself to face forward, praying that she was following.

He didn’t turn around until he reached the threshold, pleased to discover Sara standing next to him. She took one of the champagne flutes from him and threw it back, consuming the fizzy drink in one long gulp.

Kellan grinned and followed suit. Then he took the glass from her and placed it on a tray just inside the door. “Liquid courage?”

She glanced back at a still-oblivious Gabriel. “Something like that.”

He placed his hand on her lower back, enjoying the way she shivered slightly at his touch. He caught the scent of her floral perfume and had to fight down his own arousal.

The two of them walked to the edge of the patio. Sara stopped, but Kellan propelled her forward toward one of the secluded paths. The patio wasn’t as crowded as the ballroom, but there were several couples and groups enjoying the cool evening breeze.

Sara resisted his prodding for only a moment before allowing him to lead her along the dimly lit path. Once they were out of the hearing of the others, she stopped and turned to face him. “Five minutes.”

Her tone was hostile. Yep. He’d hurt her. And pissed her off.

“I wanted to apologize for the other evening. I let things end badly between us.”

She lifted her shoulder, and for the first time, he noticed the dark circles under her eyes. She wasn’t sleeping any better than he was.

“You never lied about your intentions, Kellan. Never promised me anything more than sex. I know that you’re a professional at turning your emotions on and off like a faucet, but it’s harder for me.” Then she sighed, and her voice was calmer when she continued, “But we’ve been friends for too long to let this come between us. I get that. It’s just…you’re going to have to give me some time to find my way. I can’t flip right back to just friends. I’m not wired that way.”

“I don’t want to be just friends with you anymore, Sara.”

She laughed, the sound one of pure malice. “Oh, no. Don’t.” She raised her finger, pointing it at him furiously. “If you think for one second I would entertain the idea of being another one of your booty calls, you’re insane.”

What? Booty call?

“That’s not—”

Sara was on a roll. Clearly her anger had been building all week, and it exploded out of her now at what she had mistaken for yet another one of his sexual propositions. “You know what? I know exactly how to settle this, how to make this easy for you. I’m in love with you, Kellan. Completely, irrevocably in love.”

Kellan reached for her hands, determined to pull her into his arms, but she dodged too quickly.

He frowned. “Sara—”

“Sara?” Another male voice cut through the darkness. Gabriel had clearly caught a clue and realized he’d lost his date. Talk about shitty timing.

“I’m here,” she called out. “Give me a second.”

Kellan opened his mouth to speak, to tell her he loved her, but she was determined to have the last word.

“So there’s your cue to make a very hasty exit. God knows you don’t still want to sleep with a woman who has actual feelings for you. That would break all the Kellan James rules for an unencumbered, sex-on-demand lifestyle. I hope you and your hookups will be very happy together.”

She started down the path, encountering Gabriel on the way. The other man caught sight of him and frowned.

“Is everything okay?” Gabriel asked.

Sara nodded, without bothering to look back toward Kellan. “It is now. Come on. Let’s go inside.”

Kellan remained alone for several minutes. She loved him. And he loved her.

But she hadn’t given him a chance to tell her.

He didn’t blame her for her anger, or her belief that he was a shallow asshole who was only interested in one thing. God knew that was all he’d shown her these past two weeks.

So she’d gotten her say. Gotten the chance to tell him exactly what a jerk he’d been. He had deserved every word.

But now it was his turn. Because things weren’t going to end like that. He wasn’t going to let her walk around for another second without telling her exactly what she meant to him.

Which was everything.

Everything.

He returned to the ballroom intent on dragging her away from the table and upstairs to the hotel room he’d booked for the two of them.