Swept Away 2 Read Online Free Page B

to claim me as his. I can’t remember ever wanting anything more.
    “I’m sorry,” he whispers against my cheekbone.
    I just groan, because I don’t want to talk. I don’t want his apologies. I just want him to keep kissing me.
    “He’s better for you. I should have convinced you.”
    “No,” I growl out, pressing myself tighter to his erection, shifting so I can feel that bit of friction as he moves against me, “you couldn’t have. Nothing could convince me.”
    He shudders again. I’ve never seen him so uncontrolled, so open . His whisper is rough, erotic, and full of emotion. “I’m done. I’m done trying to convince you. But I don’t want to hurt you.”
    “Then don’t,” I say simply.
    Pulling back, he gazes at me for a long moment, and I stare at him, feeling mussed and thoroughly kissed, knowing my lips are glossy and my eyes are shining.
    “I’m going to try,” he promises me. “I’m going to try my damndest not to hurt you.”
    I give a small nod.
    This time when he kisses me, it’s slower, gentler, and I fall into a slowly rising tide of passion. We kiss for long, sensual, bone-tingling minutes until warmth seeps through me and I release every breath in a soft sigh. Languid pleasure melts my tense muscles and infuses my bones. Finally, he pulls away. He places my pillow in position at the head of the bed and lays me gently upon it.
    Then he gives me a single, soft kiss to my lips. He pulls back, stroking my cheek with his knuckles.
    “Good night, Tara. Try to get some rest, okay?”
    “Okay,” I whisper.
    And I finally do.

Justine
    September 30, 2005
    My old roommate Ginny’s back. I swear, she’s like a little parasite that won’t let go. The games I play with her were entertaining at first, but now they just bore me.
    She bores me. No…it’s more than that. She’s so damned empathetic, so incredibly, condescendingly understanding. And her friendship with Ethan… God, I don’t know how much more I can take.
    Of course, we’re roommates again. Did I mention how parasitic she is? Daddy bought a great house for me in Palo Alto, which I pretend to rent along with my three housemates. Katie and May are good little housemates who mind their own business. But Ginny? No. She squirmed her way into my house by being kind and wonderful and such a “good friend.” (Gag.)
    She’s always asking me questions, and they’re ridiculous ones, like , “How did that make you feel?” and “What did you feel the need to do after that?” I am always tempted to tell her I felt the need to snap her neck, but I know better. My life is good. I have Ethan. I’m not about to mess that up.
    I wish I could just live with Ethan, but Daddy’s having none of that. Once I graduate, maybe I can talk him into it. I’ve got nine months more of this… I just have to endure till then.
    I wish Ethan had asked me to marry him over the summer. He didn’t, and I know he probably wants to wait until I’m done with school, but he can’t know how anxious I am to marry him. To further tie us together, under God, under the law. It’s not an unbreakable tie, I know—in fact it’s probably not as meaningful as Ethan’s involvement in Triton… Well, maybe it’s just the idea. That once upon a time and happily ever after every little girl wants. Even me, I guess.
    Anyhow, back to Ginny. I do not like how she is always around when Ethan’s over. It annoys the shit out of me. Worse, she and Ethan have become friends of sorts. They seem to share a common interest in the psychology of business, a topic I find ridiculously dull. I don’t like their easy camaraderie. I don’t like their joint interest. I really don’t like Ginny getting near him at all.
    This is life. I know this. Ethan will have women friends throughout the rest of our lives, and I need to be okay with that. I’m trying to view this as a learning experience for the future, a way to learn to cope with inevitability. But I can’t let go of the