Seducing Simon - Maya Banks Page 0,1

wished the floor could swallow her up about now. Of all people, she hadn’t wanted him to know yet.

“She just told me she’s moving out,” Matt said in disbelief.

“Is that true?” Simon asked softly, boring into her with his intense green eyes. Eyes that left her feeling like she had no clothing on.

Another flush crept up her neck as she envisioned him naked, over her body, her hands gliding over his broad chest and bulging arms.

She nodded, unable to speak or meet his gaze.

“Why?”

She fidgeted on the stool, twisting her fingers in her long curls. “I think it’s time I got my own place.”

“You’ve said that already,” Matt replied. “In fact, so far, that’s the only reason you’ve given. Why is it so important that you have your own place?”

“Don’t badger her,” Simon reprimanded. “I’m sure she has a good reason.” He turned back and looked expectantly at her. “We’d just like to hear it.”

Think Toni, think. What could she say? Certainly not the truth. World War III would pale in comparison. She’d rather suffer through an entire hour’s worth of lecturing from the three of them rather than tell them why she had to move out.

Because of her own stupidity, her relationship with the three people she cared most about was going to be forfeit. They’d lived together for three years. But they had been friends for a lot longer.

It seemed logical to invite Simon and A.J. to move in when her parents had died. The four had been inseparable ever since the guys were in high school. The guys had gone on to become firefighters and work in the small town of Cypress, Texas they’d all grown up in.

“Toni?” Simon’s voice filtered into her thoughts.

She peeked up at him to see his concerned expression concentrated on her. Clearing her throat, she said, “I want to get my own place.

Nothing personal.”

“I don’t see how we can’t take it personally,” he began. “It seems as if you want to get away from us. Have we done something to piss you off?” With an inward groan, she buried her face in her hands. “Surely, you didn’t think we’d live together forever. I mean you guys will want to get married and have a family. I’ll want the same.” Her head came up at Simon’s uttered “oh.”

“I think I see what this is about.”

“Well, do enlighten me,” Matt complained. “Because I’m in the dark over here.”

“I think what Toni is trying to say is she’s ready to start looking for a serious relationship. Maybe get married and start a family. I guess it’s pretty hard for her to do that with us three breathing down the neck of any guy she brings home.”

“Is that true, Toni?” Matt asked.

“Uhm, well, yes, I suppose. I mean, I don’t plan on getting married tomorrow, but I suppose I’ll want to in the not so distant future.” Never mind that she couldn’t have the one man she wanted.

Matt didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t say anything more. Simon continued to study her until she was ready to fidget completely off her seat. Why did she get the impression he could see straight through her flimsily muttered excuses?

“Is there anything we can do to help?” he asked in a soft voice.

“Uh, no, not really. Well, I suppose you could help me move when the time comes.” She flashed him her best smile in an attempt to squelch the nervousness she felt.

“You know we’ll help.”

“Yes, I know,” she whispered.

She heard A.J shuffle back into the kitchen, and she turned in relief, thankful he was interrupting the tension. Her heart sank when she met with his expression. It was odd. He looked like he’d just eaten her attempt at meatloaf.

He stared at her with a deer-in-the-headlights look. Something akin to horror and confusion.

“What’s your problem, A.J.?” Matt called out.

He continued to stare at Toni as he walked slowly over. He held his hand out, and Toni’s stomach lurched, her heart jumping into her throat.

In his outstretched palm lay the early pregnancy test she’d taken the day before. The two lines were faded, but still very indicative of a positive result.

“What is this, Toni?” he finally asked.

Toni froze, but anger quickly surfaced in an effort to cover her dismay. “What the hell were you doing going through my trashcan?” She snatched the stick from him and clenched it in her fist.

A.J. blinked in surprise. “I wasn’t digging in it. I dropped my watch and had to fish it out. I