His to Possess #5: Entangled Read Online Free Page A

ways that Rafe had suggested in the past.” She toyed with the lid on her coffee cup. “So are you going back to Rafe?”
    Jessica sucked in a breath, debating whether she should tell Melanie about yesterday. Then she decided secrets would only be a threat to their friendship.
    “Actually, Rafe proposed to me.”
    Melanie’s fingers tightened on her cup. “Oh. I see.” She glanced at Jessica’s left hand. “Are you holding off on wearing the ring until you have a chance to talk to Dane?”
    Jessica shook her head. “I didn’t accept.”
    Her friend’s eyes widened. “What? Are you crazy? How could you possibly turn down Rafe? He’s handsome, kind, sexy, rich, and … did I mention sexy?”
    Jessica grinned. “So now you’re trying to talk me into marrying him? I thought you wanted him for yourself.”
    “Yeah, that would be nice. But let’s face it, he’s my boss and it’s obvious he just doesn’t see me that way. I’m not going to cross the line and embarrass myself and risk my job for a guy who doesn’t even notice me. It’s different for you. You met him before you started working for this company. Same with Mr. Ranier. Although I admit I don’t really get what you’re doing with Mr. Ranier. The just physical thing, I mean. But you lived with Rafe. You’re in love with him.”
    “Yeah, I’m in love with him,” Jessica echoed.
    “You don’t sound very convincing.”
    “I know. I’m just … confused. Rafe is not the same as Storm. Storm was a free-spirited guy who played guitar for a local rock band. Rafe is a suave, rich business tycoon.”
    “But he’s still the same guy.”
    Jessica sipped her coffee. “I’m not sure that’s true. Even if it is, I’ll have to get used to the differences. Get to know him all over again.”
    Melanie covered Jessica’s hand with hers. “Whatever those differences are, it’s worth getting past them. Rafe is a wonderful guy. Don’t let him slip away.”
    Jessica shook her head. “How do you do that? Here I am, with the man you want, but you’re taking it all in stride and actually trying to talk me into marrying him.”
    Melanie bit her lip. “I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t jealous. But it’s clear that he doesn’t want me, and,”—she gazed at Jessica—“when Rafe told me about the two of you … when he looked at me with those gorgeous blue eyes of his while he talked about what the two of you had … I could see he’s in love with you.” She sighed, her green eyes turning misty. “I just want to see him happy.” She patted Jessica’s hand. “You, too.”
    Jessica squeezed Melanie’s fingers. “You’re a good friend, Melanie. To me, and to Rafe. Thank you.”
    Melanie nodded. “Sure. Now, tell me about the ring. Was it gorgeous?”
    Jessica smiled. “I have to admit. It was stunning. It was the shape of a moth outlined in diamonds.”
    “Oh, my God, that man is so romantic.”
    *   *   *
    That evening, Jessica turned Rafe down when he asked her to join him for dinner, telling him she needed a little space. She needed him not to rush her. Even when Melanie invited her to go out with friends, she declined. A quiet Friday night at home was just what she needed.
    As she sat relaxing on the couch, watching an old sitcom on TV, the phone rang and she picked it up.
    “Jessica, it’s Dane. Can you meet me for a drink?”
    Her heart thumped loudly. She knew he’d had meetings all day today in Chicago. He must have just returned from the airport.
    She didn’t want to deal with this right now, but how could she turn down her boss?
    “Um … It’s getting late. By the time I get a cab and—”
    “I’m downstairs in the limo.”
    Damn.
    “I’m not really dressed to go out.”
    “I’m sure you look fine. Jessica, I really need to talk to you.”
    She sighed. “Fine.”
    But it just didn’t seem appropriate meeting a man who was in an expensive suit and riding in a limo while she was wearing jeans and a