fire at him. “Would you rather we discuss your marriage and how you expect me to remain in the same town as your soon to be ex-wife?”
He stood. “Maybe I should leave,” he said, attempting to keep his tone even. She knew how guilty he felt about her not being chosen as his wife. But he wouldn’t allow her to exploit that into making him purchase a condo in New York.
“No, Jakob, don’t go!” She hopped up and draped her arms around his neck. “I’m sorry for being cross. You understand, don’t you? How hard this has been on me?” As her lovely eyes filled with tears, the irises turned a darker more vibrant shade of green.
Like any other male, he hated tears. It made him feel awkward and flummoxed, and he’d do anything to make it stop. “It’s okay, Ella. We’ve both been on edge.” Hugging her back, he smiled and kissed her temple.
She gr inned and blinked away the moisture in her eyes. He noted that no tears had actually spilled down her cheeks. Slipping out of his embrace, she trailed her hands over his arms and gripped his hands. She stepped back and tugged him. He’d followed her around the sofa and to the doorway of the bedroom before he realized what she was up to. “Ella, we can’t.”
“Come on, Jake,” she cajoled. “ We both know you’ll never last a month without sex. Let me help you.”
Scowling at her, he pulled his hands out of hers. He could and had gone months without sex. Why she persisted in believing that he was some insatiable sex fiend defied him. Yes, he had a healthy sex drive but he was in no way an addict. Tennis was a year round sport so he didn’ t always abstain during tournaments. Of course, he avoided all-nighters the day before a match, but he wasn’t going to turn down sex. He found that it relieved stress and helped him to sleep better. Of course, he’d made sure his coach and his fitness trainer didn’t find out.
“Ella, I explained my feelings about this. I’m married and I won’t-”
She screeched and stomped her foot. “Do you want me or not?”
At this very moment, no, he didn’t. He sensed that they were on the verge of one of her tantrums and he wanted out of this room. Unfortunately, a sensible method to extricate himself, without further offending Ella eluded him. The hesitation cost him.
In the space of a few seconds, Ella’s face suffused with red. “Do you want her ? Your wife?”
Jakob thought of Sienna, of the sweet, hardworking girl he’d known when he was younger now grown into a beautiful, desirable woman. Thinking of her was another mistake. His reply didn’t come swift enough and Ella jumped to her own conclusions.
Ella glared at him. “You do, don’t you? You find her attractive?”
He ran his hand over his hair. “I don’t know what you want me to say. She’s certainly not a gargoyle.”
“But do you want to fuck her?”
He winced at her wording. Apparently nothing but his lying to her was going to make her happy. Because of course he’d thought about what it would be like to be with Sienna. She was his wife and intimacy was an important part of marriage. And hell, she was hot. Despite his attempts to banish any sexual thoughts about Sienna, he’d only been minimally successful. And he certainly couldn’t stop the dreams. Twice this week he’d awakened so hard and turned on that he couldn’t stop himself from coming.
Of course, he wanted her, but he certainly couldn’t tell Ella that. He didn’t want hurt her feelings and if he admitted to wanting Sienna, this already heated discussion would devolve into a full blown argument. “Of course not.”
“You’re lying. I can tell. You’re flushing.”
He threw his hands up in frustration. Eaten up with guilt, he gritted out, “I’m flushing because you’re interrogating me. What do you need me to say to get me the hell out of this conversation? Can I say I haven’t thought about being with her? No. But I made a promise to you. I’m not a cheater.