Take Me Again (The Knight Brothers 1)

He shook his head in a chiding gesture. “Changing the subject when you don’t like what I’m saying. Some things stay the same,” he said, nailing her behavior accurately.

She forced a smile, his words from earlier staying with her. He’d given her a lot to think about, and her stomach was twisting badly.

But she had to focus on Ethan and what he needed right now, and that was a lot easier than thinking about herself. “Promise me you’ll lean on your family. You won’t withdraw into your penthouse and suffer in silence,” she said.

“I promise you I’m dealing with all this as best I can.”

It was the most she was going to get from him, and she had no choice but to accept it. As for her relationship with Sebastian, she wasn’t sure what she was going to do. She had her life in London, but she couldn’t deny her feelings for him, either. Something had to give, and she didn’t know if she should follow her head … or her heart.

* * *

Ashley didn’t have work to do, and Ethan didn’t need her in the office. Although she really could have gone back to London, the sad truth was, she was in no rush to go back. Sebastian was right. She didn’t want to face Jonathan and his relentless pursuit, and since she had the extra week, she intended to take it.

She didn’t make muffins for Ethan, knowing he’d had enough of her hovering. She did, however, decide to enjoy her time in New York City. She started by buying tickets for a show on Wednesday and planned to go to a popular lunch restaurant on Tuesday. She left Ethan alone, knowing he was working through his pain, and no matter how much she wanted to be with Sebastian, she believed it was better not to give him the wrong idea about what she wanted from him. Not when she didn’t yet know the answer to that herself.

She read a book on her phone during lunch and stopped for a manicure before heading back to the apartment. She let herself in and came to a halt. The entire kitchen counter was now filled with gorgeous roses. She didn’t care how cliché, the gesture touched her heart.

She walked over to where a card sat in front of one of the vases. Pulling it out of the envelope, she read out loud. “Roses are red, violets are blue, you might live in London, but I still want you. Sebastian.”

She held the card against her heart and sighed. The man had an amazing sense of humor on top of his sweetness. Knowing she couldn’t avoid him after this, she took the elevator to his floor and knocked on his door.

He answered, wearing a pair of gray sweats … and nothing else. She glanced at his bare chest and swallowed a groan.

“Can I help you?” he asked, an amused grin lifting the corners of his mouth. That sexy dimple teased her.

“I wanted to thank you for the flowers.”

“You’re welcome. Want to come in?” He stepped aside.

But she already stood too close to him, was aware of the smell of his cologne, the masculine scent a powerful aphrodisiac. All she really wanted to do was reach out and touch that broad chest. Run her fingers through the light sprinkling of hair. Brush her lips over his.

Instead she cleared her throat. “I really shouldn’t.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Afraid to be alone with me?” he asked, tongue in cheek. But he really wasn’t teasing. He obviously knew that was the truth.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she lied. “I just have … things to do in my apartment.”

“Like what? Laundry? Washing your hair?” He chuckled, obviously aware she was making excuses so they didn’t end up in bed. “Enjoy your flowers,” he said, and closed the door, shutting her out.

Just as she’d suggested she wanted.

Frustrated, more with herself than with him, she headed back downstairs, took a long shower … and did, in fact, wash her hair.

Wednesday arrived and she went to a wonderful Broadway show, enjoying herself even if she had gone alone. She couldn’t deny that she’d have had a better time if she’d had company. Like Sebastian. But she was sticking to her making-a-clean-break resolution.

She kept busy doing touristy things through Friday. That evening, she returned to her apartment and let herself inside. This time, a chocolate basket with a big blue Ghirardelli bow on top waited for her. She walked over and took in the items, which included a box of chocolate-covered pretzels, chocolate squares, dark chocolate with sea salt caramel, chocolate chip cookies, and of course a supply of Ghirardelli chocolate bars. She inhaled deeply, imagining that she could smell the chocolate despite the wrapping.

This time there was no card, but she knew who the gift was from and the sentiment behind it. She sat down with a sigh. What was she doing, torturing herself by staying away from Sebastian?