Read Desire (#2) for Free Online Page A

I’m prying, Kate, but you did seem upset earlier …”
    “I’m not sure why I reacted like that. It’s always been one of my favourite paintings, and seeing it like that … so beautiful.” I shook my head. “I’m just being silly. Ignore me,” I said and reached for the little jug of milk.
    As Colin stirred his coffee, I looked at him shyly. Perhaps I owed him an explanation. I saw him rolling his eyes earlier when Benjamin mentioned he would pay for anything I wanted to do today, and Colin had seemed a little colder with me since he discovered Benjamin and I were … seeing each other.
    “This is a little awkward, Colin,” I said, trying to choose my words carefully.
    He looked up. “What’s wrong?”
    “I want you to know that I’m not interested in Benjamin because of his money or the Easton family name…”
    The words were difficult for me to say and embarrassing, but it was important to me that Colin understood. I liked him, and I didn’t want him to think I was a cold-hearted gold-digger.
    “I’ve never thought that, Kate.”
    I shrugged, feeling awkward. “Well, I thought you seemed a little put out recently.”
    “Oh, Kate.” Colin set down his cup of coffee and sighed. “It’s nothing to do with your relationship with Benjamin.” He shook his head and gazed around the room for a moment, before speaking again. “Benjamin and I have had a few disagreements lately, but it’s nothing to do with you. Mostly, we argue about security procedures. Nothing for you to worry about.”
    “Security?”
    He took a sip of his coffee and nodded. “Benjamin is the head of a billion-dollar company, yet he refuses to employ a personal security detail. Just last week, he went missing for two whole hours.”
    “Missing?”
    “He drove back from Boston, and his phone battery was dead. But none of us knew where he was. He doesn’t seem to understand the possible dangers.”
    I bit down on my lip and wondered if I should mention the man I saw acting suspiciously in the lobby then thought better of it. He hadn’t really done anything out of the ordinary. I only noticed him because of my paranoia about my past.
    “But that isn’t something for you to worry about.” He smiled. “Now, let’s try the cake.”
    The Victoria sponge was light and fluffy, and the strawberry jam in the centre was absolutely delicious. The Bakewell tart was just as good, tasting of sweet almonds.
    Thoroughly stuffed, we continued our tour of the Tate, and I did my best to banish Benjamin from my thoughts, but it wasn’t easy.
    As we stood admiring a watercolour by Monet, Colin turned to me and said, “I hope you’re not pinning all your hopes on Benjamin.”
    I felt my cheeks grow warm. “What do you mean?”
    Colin pursed his lips into a hard line.
    “Colin, what do you mean?”
    “Forgive me. You’re a lovely girl, Kate. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
    “Hurt? Why would I get hurt?”
    Colin exhaled heavily. “It wouldn’t be the first time. Look, Benjamin has this … charisma about him. It draws people towards him, especially women. I’m sure he likes you very much, but I think you should be aware he’s not the commitment type.”
    For a moment, I was lost for words. Colin was trying to be kind, and put me on my guard, but I hated him for it. “I see.”
    “The red paint,” Colin said.
    I looked up, confused. “Red paint?”
    Colin nodded. “Yes. The red paint on the mural, the one you repaired, how do you think it got damaged?”
    I shook my head and shrugged. “I don’t know.”
    “His last lover,” Colin said, with a wry smile. “She didn’t take too kindly to his rejection.”
    My insides felt like ice. I had known all along that this relationship wouldn’t last, so why did Colin’s words hurt so much?
    “So that must have happened recently?”
    Colin nodded. “About a month ago.”
    “Only a month? Wow, I hadn’t realised.” I guess Benjamin didn’t feel the need to wait around