“Hello to you, too, wife,” Silas said with a sly grin. With Janelle mere inches away, he allowed his gaze to roam freely over her. The camera loved her shortbread complexion, high cheekbones and doe-shaped eyes with full lashes, but she was even more stunning in person. Her long ebony hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she wore a jacket and high-waisted leggings that looked as if they’d been sprayed on. They left little doubt as to just how long her legs were. Once upon a time, those limbs were wrapped around Silas as she screamed out his name in pleasure, but that was a long while ago.
“It’s been six years, Silas,” Janelle replied.
“And?”
“You’ve never stopped by to see me before. What’s different now?” She hadn’t seen Silas since she’d walked out of old man Gibson’s restaurant six years ago. Darnell Gibson had been a lifesaver for the two of them, offering them jobs when they’d had very little experience out of high school—Janelle as a waitress and Silas as a line cook. He’d been like a father to them. And as for Silas, she’d tried to heal the rift between them and called him early on, but they’d argued terribly. He’d ordered her back home and she’d refused. That’s when she’d known their marriage was over. Since then, they only corresponded via their attorneys.
“Well, if you must know, after Mr. Gibson died, I realized I wasn’t getting any younger. My attorney indicated that if I wanted to change my will and beneficiaries, I was going to have to take care of that pesky thing I put off. A divorce.” He handed her the blue folded documents.
Silas heard her soft intake of breath as she snatched the papers out of his hand.
“Trust me, I’m sure you’re as eager as I am to be out of this sham of a marriage. Not that you could call it a marriage, since you deserted me.”
“Deserted you!” Janelle’s voice rose an octave, and several people turned to stare at them, but she didn’t seem to care. Her dark brown eyes blazed with sudden anger. “How dare you?” She stormed up to him and planted her hand on his chest, giving him a little shove, forcing him to take a step backward. “You were the one who demanded I give up my one chance to make it big. A chance that could have helped you start your restaurant.”
“I didn’t need your help.” At her contemptuous look, he rephrased. “That’s not what I meant. Mr. Gibson was already planning on leaving me the restaurant. You knew I had plans.”
“Yeah, you had big dreams, Silas, and those big dreams took money, which my modeling career could have provided. But you didn’t want me to have anything. You wanted me barefoot and pregnant, at your beck and call.”
“That’s not fair, Janelle. Don’t rewrite history to suit the choices you’ve made. Why can’t you admit you wanted this?” He waved his arm around the room. “This life of glitz and glamour, more than you wanted me.”
“Ahem.” A loud cough sounded behind them, and he turned to see one of the young women he’d noticed earlier. “Perhaps you might want to talk about this in a more private setting?” She motioned toward the dressing room Janelle had come out of.
Silas shrugged. “Fine with me.”
“Thanks, Hannah.” Janelle rolled her eyes and stalked toward the door Hannah held open. Once it was closed behind Silas, she spun on her heel to face him. When she did, he swore he saw tears welling up from those brown depths. “Do you really believe that?”
“What else am I supposed to think?” Silas said. “We had plans that you threw away to take a chance at fame. Was it worth it?”
She didn’t answer him. “It’s been six years, Silas. Don’t presume to think you know me.”
“C’mon, Janelle. I used to know you quite well.” His voice dropped an octave as he looked down at her. “And as I recall, you enjoyed every minute of the time we spent together.”
Janelle looked up at him. His experience with women, especially this woman, told him she was still aware of him, so he moved closer until they were a few inches apart. Her eyes darkened, and then she dropped her gaze to focus on his mouth.
If nothing else, she still desired him.
Silas scanned her face and watched her tongue flick out to moisten her lips as if she were preparing herself. For him.
“Janelle.”
He heard her release a breath, and when she glanced up, their eyes locked. Did she feel the pull of desire like he did?
He soon found out when, instead of pushing backward, her arms circled his neck and her mouth collided with his.
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