Illicit Craving (Bend To My Will #5) by Emily Jane Trent Page B

his steps. Going out midweek, calling each other, kissing, and sleeping in his bed were now expected. Even if he could put his foot down, and tell Vivienne that was over, Jacob didn’t want to let go. It disturbed him that he’d become accustomed to having her close, and was unwilling to confine her to the playroom activities only.
    There was a clang of pots and pans in the kitchen, reminding Jacob that Colette had prepared dinner. If Vivienne would come down, the meal could be served. Possibly, she would be over the upset and things could return to normal. Even thinking so, Jacob knew better.
    Vivienne wasn’t one to ignore such an incident. She would still be annoyed. Most likely, she remained determined to run her own life without interference. It was a reasonable request, although Jacob wasn’t fully rational about it quite yet. He took a deep breath and downed the last of his whiskey. There was a sound on the marble staircase, and his heart leapt.
    Looking up, Jacob saw Vivienne descending the stairs, and attempted to assess her mood. She didn’t look angry, exactly. Her expression was more melancholy than anything. The slim pants she wore with a light green sweater made Jacob want to have her. She was so damn beautiful.
    At the bottom of the stairs, Vivienne walked over to him without looking up. When she stood a foot away, her green eyes met his. Jacob saw what he’d already known: how much he’d hurt her. But there was no way to take it back, even if he wanted to.
    “I’m glad you came down, Vivienne. I hope you’ll have dinner with me.”
    Vivienne glanced at his empty whiskey glass, then back at him. “We need to talk, Jacob.”
    “I agree. Let me get a bottle of wine, and we’ll go to the study.” Jacob chose a bottle from the wine cooler, hardly noticing what it was. He headed for the other room, with Vivienne a step behind. There was a portable bar, where he retrieved a couple of glasses and poured the wine. When he turned, Vivienne was sitting in a leather chair by the fireplace.
    Jacob handed her a glass of wine and sat across from her. Vivienne’s blond waves framed her face, and her sweater hugged her curves. He wanted her, but didn’t completely regret his behavior. Allowing her to go off with another man was unwise. Still, a compromise might be agreed on.
    “Don’t you trust me, Jacob?”
    The look on her face was pure anguish, and it dawned on Jacob what the real issue was. “That’s not it, Vivienne.”
    “Then what?” Vivienne held her glass without sipping. “Because I have to admit, I don’t understand.”
    “There’s not that much to understand,” Jacob said. “I don’t want you going off with another man.”
    “But Alfred is not another man ; he’s my business partner.”
    “That makes no difference. He’s still a man, and being away, alone, is not a good situation.”
    “For me ?”
    “Yes, for you,” Jacob said. “You don’t realize how attractive you are, and how easy it would be for any man to want you.” He let that sink in.
    “So it’s the other man you don’t trust?”
    “That’s right.” Jacob saw an opening. “If you are required to go to Paris, then I’ll go with you.”
    “So you can keep an eye on me?”
    “I wouldn’t put it that way.”
    “How would you put it?”
    “So we can be together, Vivienne. From the beginning, I’ve made no secret that I wasn’t keen on you taking on a business partner. If you needed anything, you could have come to me,” Jacob said. “It was my mistake if I didn’t make that clear.”
    Vivienne looked at him, but Jacob couldn’t tell what she thought.
    “Now that you have entered into this venture with Alfred Dunham, I only ask that you consult me on such things as business trips.”
    “You mean ask permission ?”
    “No, because I realize you’ll fight me on that.” Jacob gulped his wine. “And even if you don’t think so, I do understand that you need to make your own decisions.”
    “You