Romani Prince

Chapter 25: The Deal

The ride back to the house is relaxing.

Jeremy isn't the chatty type, but he answers all my questions about the local fauna, the crew, and Gertie with ease.

We heat our plates and sit on the kitchen table with two tall glasses of lemonade.

"I don't think I've ever spent so much time on the back of a horse, before."

Jeremy lifts an eyebrow at me. "You're going to feel it tomorrow."

I laugh softly and he crooks up the corner of his mouth.

"I'm feeling it now!"

I can't help noticing the direct way that he's looking at me. So much like the way that Luka does.

I look down at my food.

"If you... decide to stay. We'll get you a custom made saddle. It'll be easier on your... hmm... curves."

With a sigh, he focuses back on his plate, probably remembering how familiar with my curves he got, last night.

I look down, too. My face heating up with the awkward memory.

The noise of a heavy object sliding on the table makes me raise my gaze from my plate.

Jeremy holds his satellite phone in front of me. "You should call your friend... But only her."

Grateful, my eyes must be gleaming with emotion as I give him a smile, because Jeremy looks suddenly stunned.

"If I knew you'd react like this, I'd given it to you sooner!"

I narrow my eyes at him and reach for the phone, but he doesn't let go. Our eyes meet again, and his fingers softly brush mine.

"I'll let you call her if you give me a kiss... A real kiss."

Quickly, I retreat, placing my hands over my lap and staring at my empty plate. I shake my head. "You said you're not going to force me, again."

"I'm not... You have the option. I'm just trying to show how good we could be together... And you're not going to let me if I don't tempt you into making little deals like this."

He is right about that...

And I desperately need to call Mina. She will be able to reassure Luka that everything is going to be alright.

But I can't... kiss Jeremy.

I close my eyes. It's just a kiss! Think of Luka while you do it!

Right...

No...

I can't.

Jeremy pulls the phone back and I stare at it, longingly.

"Just think about it... I removed all the other phones from around the house and the study will be locked twenty-four-seven." He pockets the phone.

"Your father told me what happened back in D.C., so you understand that I don't want any surprise visits here."

Jeremy gets up, taking his plate and glass to the sink. Without another word, he washes everything and puts it away, allowing me to think through his proposal.

I can't move and I don't want to think about any of it.

God, I really need to talk to Mina like crazy.

But kissing another man... And especially Jeremy that seems to already have feelings for me, is simply inconceivable. If I kiss him, he'll have hope and will push for more and more.