She scrambled to right herself, took a deep breath, and answered, “Hi, Paula.”

“Good old caller ID sucks the life out of surprising anyone doesn’t it?” The playful tone of Paula’s voice surprised and worried Kelly.

For some reason, she didn’t seem to be pissed off. Rather than put Kelly’s mind at ease it worried her. It would’ve been easier to break things off if Paula was angry and being a bitch. Not this cheerful creature on the other end of the phone.

“I didn’t think you liked surprises?”

“Of course I do, as long as they’re nice ones.” Paula chuckled, then lowered her voice and spoke in a sexy drawl. “Why don’t you come over and surprise me? I have the house to myself for at least an hour.”

Stress, rather than excitement made Kelly’s pulse race. Boy, did she have a surprise for Paula, just not the kind she was expecting. “I’ll have a quick shower then be right over.”

Twenty minutes later, Kelly hung her helmet on her bike and stared up at Paula’s grand three-bedroom home. For the first time ever, the entrance looked foreboding rather than welcoming. With her heart thudding in her chest, Kelly rapped on the solid wooden door.

“It’s open,” Paula called out, her voice barely audible through the thick wood. “Lock it behind you.”

Kelly did as she was told, then inched her way further inside.

The living room was empty.

“In here,” Paula’s voice came from somewhere down the hallway.

Trepidation surged through Kelly, the closer she got to the bedroom. She prayed her assumption was wrong. Her prayers went unanswered.

Propped up on her elbow, looking sinfully sexy in a royal blue baby doll negligee and matching briefs, Paula gave Kelly a come-hither look.

“I hope you wore something sexy under those jeans?”

With no other option but to get straight to the point, Kelly pulled the terry robe off the back of the bedroom door and tossed it to Paula; a futile attempt to save some of Paula’s dignity.

“I didn’t come over here to have sex with you, Paula.”

Ignoring the robe, Paula sat upright, swung her legs over the side of the bed, and patted the spot next to her.

The bed dipped as Kelly sat at the bottom end. Which was a stupid move because when she faced Paula the headboard filled her vision.

Thoughts of that fateful night, two weeks ago, punched her in the gut, and steeled her resolve to end things. She didn’t belong in Paula’s home, or her life.

Paula sidled up next to her. “We haven’t had sex for at least two weeks. Don’t you find me attractive anymore?”

It was the first time Kelly had seen Paula look so vulnerable.

Why now, damn it?