With Trace, I wasn’t sure things hadn’t already grown into a jungle for me. “He’s a billionaire, and I’m a woman who has been to prison. What kind of crazy combination is that?”
“Robert’s rich, and I’m a girl from the wrong side of the tracks,” Isa reminded me.
“But you bettered yourself—”
“Just as you will. Be patient, Eva. Give yourself a break. Trace would be lucky to have you. There aren’t many women who aren’t going to care only about his money.”
“His money doesn’t matter,” I admitted. “It’s just…him.”
“Then go after what you want. Lord knows you’re stubborn enough. You lived through your childhood and a bad start as an adult. You deserve some happy time.”
We talked a little longer, then solidified our plans to meet up after the holidays. After we hung up, I thought about the conversation, wondering if I needed to be bold and just live in the moment for a change.
Go. Find him. Take whatever pleasure you can get for right now. Enjoy the fantasy, because reality will crash down on you all too soon.
I wasn’t a live-for-today kind of woman. But I’d planned my future once, and all of those dreams had never happened. Maybe I should learn how to live in the moment, seize what I wanted.
Right now, what I needed was Trace.
I wondered if he still wanted me, but I was pretty certain our attraction was mutually hot. The tension arched between us every time we were together, and it was getting to both of us. My body clamored for satisfaction, and I wouldn’t be satiated without him.
Quietly, I moved through the house, finding my way to his room in the near-darkness. There were a few nighttime lights on, but most of the house was dark.
“I don’t know if I can do this,” I whispered to myself as I arrived at Trace’s bedroom door.
Oh yes, I could do it. I wanted to do it. I needed to be close to Trace right now, and if I had to expose my need to him to get my wish, I didn’t give a damn.
I turned the handle and pushed open the door, relieved to find it open. His shutters weren’t closed, and the moonlight illuminated his sleeping form as I walked closer to the bed.
God, he was beautiful. On his back, the sheet and comforter down to his waist, my core clenched ferociously as I got a glimpse of Trace’s sculpted chest. He looked more relaxed in sleep, but just as hot as he ever did. A lock of hair had fallen over his forehead, and I had to clench my fist to keep from reaching to smooth it back into place. He looked like a perfectly sculpted statue without a single blemish, and my heart nearly rocketed out of my chest.
I looked away from him, unable to hide my desire or my carnal thoughts. I wanted Trace Walker in a confusing and very elemental way. There was no denying it. I wanted desperately to touch him, let him claim me the same way he had a few weeks ago.
Before I had a chance to think, I slid into the bed beside him.
“Eva?”
I had to answer. “Yes.”
“Why are you here? Is something wrong?” His voice was low, masculine, and husky with sleep, but his concern was immediately present.
“We have to sleep together eventually. I just thought…” Oh hell, I didn’t know what I was thinking.
My body was imprisoned quickly as he said, “I can’t have you in my bed and not fuck you, Eva. It’s not possible.”
“I can’t be here and not want you to,” I admitted in a tremulous voice.
Trace had rolled on top of me, holding me captive with his body weight. I couldn’t see his eyes, but I could make out his tortured expression.
“I have no business being with you, Eva. But since you’ve come here, I doubt I can send you away. I want you too damn much.”
It sounded like a threat, but I took it as I wanted to. He wanted me, and that’s all I cared about. “I want to be with you, Trace. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”
“I don’t suppose you’re on birth control.”
“Actually, I am. I have been since I was sixteen.” The last thing I needed was an unwanted pregnancy, and even though I was comfortable there, I had lived in a rough neighborhood. I’d been put on the pill as much for protection against the unthinkable as I did it to help with my irregular periods.
“Christ! I hope you trust me, that you know I wouldn’t take you without a condom unless you believe I’ve been checked and I’m clean.”
“I believe you,” I replied breathlessly. I trusted him utterly and completely.
“Good. Because I don’t have condoms. I figured if I got rid of them all, I wouldn’t be tempted to fuck you again. But now you’re out of luck,” he warned.