The Truth About Fairy Tales Read Online Free PDF Page A

happen. It had to, because Ben was too determined to stay with me and his uncle was just as determined that he should go.
                  In the end, I agreed to have dinner with him that night simply, because I somehow hoped to make him see our relationship for what it was.
                  My doorbell rang while I was still dressing for dinner. When I answered it, Ben wasn't there but Jackson was.
                  Before I had to time slam the door in his face, he wedged his foot against the jam. "Nice try, Maggie, but we need to have a talk.” He took one look at me and guessed my plans for the evening. “And you can forget about going out with Ben tonight. You and I have things to discuss.”
                  “Are you crazy? He’s on his way over here right now.” I added the last part when he took my hand and walked me out of the apartment and down the stairs to his car.
                  “I’m not going anywhere with you, and once again we have nothing to talk about. It’s not my fault your nephew won’t listen to you.”
                  His gaze went over me. “Isn’t it? I’d say it’s exactly your fault. You’ve got him crazy for you.”
                  I wondered what exactly Ben had told his uncle was the extent of our relationship. I was still trying to sort all this out when I realized where Jackson was taking me. We were back at his place once more for our little ‘talk’.
                  My first instinct was to tell him to get lost, but I'd only be putting off the inevitable. Like it or not, I had to face this moment once and for all.
                  Inside Jackson Riley’s tastefully decorated, expensive, yet cold house, I faced him across the living room.
                  “Well? What do you have to say that's so important you drag me from my home? Let’s just get it over with so I can get on with my life.”
                  Anger and frustration fused deep within in his eyes. Too late, I realized I’d made a very dangerous enemy in Jackson.
                  Jackson came slowly over to where I stood and it took everything inside me not to back away.
                  He stood looking down at me, inches away, while I watched unable to do anything but stand before him speechless. Something changed in him. He was still angry, but curious as well.
                  He reached for me before I could react and pulled me into his arms. There was just a moment before his lips touched mine and I closed my eyes, a single second when I believed he was giving me my chance to run. I didn’t take it. I couldn’t because, God help me, I wanted this probably every bit as much as he did.
                  He lifted me up and carried me…somewhere. When I opened my eyes, I realized we were no longer in his living room . We stood facing each other in his bedroom.
                  My resolve shattered when his fingers slipped confidently over my body.
    I forgot where we were. Forgot I was trying to hate him. Something deep inside of me splintered into a thousand tiny pieces the second he touched me.
                  I pushed him away, our gazes locked and it hit me once again that I was in way over my head with him.
                  Neither of us spoke. We watched each other in the semi-darkness and I was all too aware of his restless hands. There was no need for words. His hands and his eyes were telling me exactly what he wanted from me.             
    I moved closer and watched his surprised reaction. My fingers reached out to touch his face bringing him nearer. My desire for Jackson had taken on a will of its own now—there was no stopping it. My lips took control of his this time, slowly exploring, brushing back and forth against his. At that moment, I wasn’t sure who was seducing whom,