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betray two friends over what would only have been a whim for him. But he couldn’t say that because he didn’t want to hurt her feelings.
    She nodded. “Is your father really running for office or is this some ploy to get Ari into bed?”
    He laughed. He appreciated her guarding her friend. Hell, his wife . He had to get used to thinking of her that way. There was a bubble of joy in him that burst open each time he remembered that fact. Even if it was only for a few years and even if it was in name only, she was his .
    At his laughter, Eri ka had crossed her arms and twisted away from him. “Don’t get angry. Yes, my father is really going to run for governor. He’ll announce it soon.”
    “But you’re going to try to seduce her, aren’t you?” He declined to answer that. It was none of her business what was between him and Ari. “Why her?” she asked at last. “I’ve seen the way you watch her when you think no one is looking. What is it about Ari?”
    Well, fuck . Was he really so transparent about the way he felt for Ariadne? Rather than answer her, he delayed. “What are you talking about?”
    Erika made an irritated sound. “I’m not stupid. I know you’ve wanted her since high school.”
    That was entirely true. But she’d been too young for what he wanted. And when she became old enough, she’d made it clear she had no interest in him.
    Hell, if he knew what pulled him to her, but he felt it every time she was near. He couldn’t shake her. Usually when a woman didn’t want him, he shrugged it off. One set of nice tits was as good as the next. But Ari was more than her rack. She was smart, sweet, principled, and honest. And just the sight of her burned him up with lust.
    Ted was coming out of the water now , making his way through the waves toward them. Erika grabbed his wrist urgently. “What is it? Tell me.”
    Where had she ever got the idea that he went around baring his soul to people? She must have seen this as her last opportunity to get these answers. But he wasn’t admitting anything, least of all to her, Ari’s best friend. He wondered if Ari also knew how hung up he was on her.
    As if she’d read his thoughts, Erika said quickly, “Ari is probably the only person who can’t tell that you’re in love with her, but I’ve always known. I just want to know…why her and not me?”
    “You love Ted. The two of you are very happy together. Concentrate on that.” Gently, he pried her fingers from his wrist and lef t her to greet her husband. He made his way back up the beach and into the house. The kitchen smelled of cinnamon and brown sugar, making his mouth water. A tray of muffins sat on the counter. Ariadne held one in her hand. She’d split it open and was applying butter. When she’d finished applying a perfectly even layer, he snatched it out of her hand and took a large bite. “Thanks,” he muttered around a full mouth.
    Glaring at him, she b egan to prepare the other half. “Where’s Erika?”
    “That’s damn good,” he groaned around the muffin. He opened the refrigerator in search of milk. “Erika’s with Ted.” As he filled his glass, he shot her a glance. She had to know about Erika’s crush, but he wouldn’t question her about it. Doing so would be asking her to betray a confidence to a friend. While he was her husband, it wasn’t in a true sense. He wanted her to consider him a friend one day as well.
    Ariadne bit into her muffin. Asher poured her a glass of milk as well. He waited until she’d taken a sip before asking, “So should I move my stuff into your room or will you be moving into mine?”
    She sprayed the floor with milk. “ What? ”
    He laughed at her expression. Though they hadn’t discussed it, he knew she didn’t expect to share his bed. But he simply couldn’t resist seeing her reaction. Leaning back against the counter, he allowed his gaze to run over her from the top of her head to her toes, stopping to enjoy the fullness of her