Passion Play

“So am I.”

But what were they sorry for? Her body still throbbed. “It’s a dangerous game we’re playing. This relationship isn’t real. We need to remember that.” Rose winced at the thin breathiness of her voice.

“I know.” Donovan scrubbed his hands over his face. “You’re right.”

“We need to get to know each other. But we can’t cross the line.” Rose drew a deep breath as her body continued to pulse.

“It’s a fine line.” Donovan pushed himself to his feet without looking in her direction. He started toward her door.

She followed him on unsteady legs. “Are we okay?”

Donovan stopped and turned to her. His eyes were still hot with

desire. Rose felt herself sway toward him. She stepped back.

His expression was so serious. She hadn’t seen that look since the night they’d worked together on the shelter’s statement.

“We will be.” He opened her door and disappeared into the afternoon.

Rose wasn’t as certain they’d recover from today’s experience. What happened would leave a lasting impression on them. She locked her door, then leaned against it. Good grief, had she made a mistake? She’d never considered the possibility that she’d be overwhelmed by a physical attraction to Donovan Carroll, although she should have. The man was too handsome for her peace of mind.

She pushed away from the door and returned to her living room. A quick glance toward her leather love seat made her pulse trip. She caught her breath. Rose moved on to her matching sofa. She sank onto the cushion, glaring across the room. She’d made a mistake. Dammit!

Donovan wasn’t a good candidate for her fake boyfriend. And let’s face it, he wouldn’t make a very good real boyfriend, either. Rose had tried the handsome-player type with Benjamin. Look how that had turned out. Donovan was even better looking than her ex-fiancé. She couldn’t survive another heartache, real or fake.

She dropped her head into her hands. What am I going to do?

* * *

“I need a new fake boyfriend.” Rose sat at Lily’s kitchen table later that afternoon. In a moment of desperation, she’d sent her sister a 9-1-1 text, asking if Lily was free to talk. She’d received an immediate reply: Come over; have brewed iced tea. Lily brewed the best iced tea.

Now, seated on the other side of the rectangular, honey-wood table, Lily regarded Rose for a long, silent moment. Is she ever going to respond, or is she just going to sit there, staring at me as though I haven’t said anything?

“Did Van make a pass at you?” Lily’s question caught Rose off guard.

“What makes you think something happened between us?” Rose crossed her legs. She wore the same black shorts and gray tunic she’d had on when Donovan had made his pass earlier. Her body grew warm.

“You wouldn’t have whirled in here like a tornado if he’d only shaken your hand.” Lily gave her a knowing look. “In fact, you wouldn’t be here at all if you hadn’t liked it.”

“What? You’re mistaken.” Was it hot in the kitchen? Rose fidgeted on the smooth wooden chair. She took a long drink from her glass of iced tea. It was cool and refreshing, with a hint of lemon and chai.

“Am I?” Lily seemed skeptical. “Then why are you so anxious to replace Van?”

Rose took a calming breath. The air smelled of lemons. Lily must have just finished cleaning. “I want someone else to be my reunion date.”

“I still don’t think you need a fake boyfriend. You should go alone.” Lily leaned back, crossing her legs. Her cotton shorts jumper was a swirling pattern of spring flowers. The shorts ended midthigh.

Why was Lily always so stubborn? Once she got an idea, she’d never let it go. She was so certain she was right all the time. She was just like...Rose.

“Lil, I told you, I won’t go to the reunion alone while Ben attends with his pregnant wife. I should be the pregnant wife Ben takes to the reunion. He took that away from me.”

“I’m sorry, Rosie.” Lily reached across the table to squeeze Rose’s forearm. “Honestly, I think Ben’s wife saved you from making a serious mistake.”

Rose sighed. “You and Iris never liked Ben.”

“We tried to.” Lily straightened, releasing Rose’s arm. “But you deserved better, someone who was more interested in you. Ben is very self-absorbed.”

“You were right.” Rose propped an elbow on the table and set her chin in her hand.