No More Playas by Brenda Jackson

Author:Brenda Jackson
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9780312331825
Publisher: St Martin's Press
Published: 2005-06-12T07:00:00+00:00

21

Asia

“So where’s your ring?”

Asia met her sister’s curious stare but didn’t answer.

“Asia?”

Asia expelled a frustrated sigh. She needed to talk to someone, and she and Claire had always been close . . . until David. And although during the past four years they worked hard to repair what had been damaged, there were certain aspects of her life she could not discuss with her sister. She knew how Claire felt about David’s family, including Sean.

“Sean and I are having issues,” Asia said softly, praying that for once her sister would have an open mind.

Claire reached across their mother’s kitchen table, took her hand, and clasped it tightly. “Talk to me, Asia. You used to be able to do that and I promise that I’ll listen and only offer my opinion if you want to hear it.”

“I don’t know where to start,” she whispered, her voice wavering and unsteady.

Claire’s hold on her hand tightened. “Start wherever you like. I have all day, and Mom won’t be back from choir practice for a while.”

For a few brief moments Asia didn’t say anything. “After David, I tried so hard to get my life together and keep it there. It wasn’t easy rebuilding the confidence I’d lost, but I did. Writing helped, and it felt good to know it was not only therapeutic for me but for women in similar situations who read my books.”

Her gaze drifted back out of the window when she said, “Sean asked me to marry him, and a part of me knew the problems I’d face with David but I also knew him to be the kind of man I needed in my life; someone I could trust and grow to love. I told him I would think about his proposal.”

She looked back at Claire. “While speaking in New York, I met Lance Montgomery and from the first there was this unholy attraction between us. But I refused to let another man use me the way David did. Lance’s reputation preceded him, so I knew what I was up against. . . but still, I was not prepared for his relentless pursuit. The man didn’t give up.” She drew in a quivering breath just thinking about all the ways Lance had worn down her resistance.

“Why do you think he refused to give up?” Claire asked, releasing her hand.

“For several reasons,” Asia said softly. “But the main one was that he saw me as a challenge. In one of my talks he heard me say I’d been abstinent for a year and decided that he would be the one to change that status. I was nothing but a game he was determined to win, and he focused his efforts on doing just that.”

Claire wished she could smooth the lines of pain that fanned from her sister’s eyes. “And did he win, Asia?”

Asia sighed, slumping her shoulders disgustedly. “No, but he could have. I was that much of a fool and—”

“Let me get this straight,” Claire said, interrupting her sister. “I’ve seen you and Lance Montgomery together.

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