Bachelor Unforgiving by Brenda Jackson Page A

stretched her body, not ready to get out of bed just yet. She glanced over at the clock and thought since she didn’t have any appointments this morning there was no rush to get to the office. She would just lie here a minute longer and bask in her memories from yesterday.
    He had kissed her. She would admit by Virgil Bougard’s standards both kisses had been rather chaste. She knew from past experiences that Virgil had the ability to plow you with a kiss that could make your head swoon for days. But the lasting effect had been just as powerful. Then when he’d walked her to her car, he had licked her throat. The feel of his tongue on her skin had stirred something deep within her.
    And then he’d suggested they spend some time together this weekend, to be seen in public as a couple. She would plan the activity and she already had an idea what she wanted them to do. They would—
    Her cell phone rang, interrupting her thoughts and quickening her pulse. Virgil had her number. Was he calling her?
    Reaching for the phone, she glanced at caller ID and felt her heart sink. It was Marti. It had been months since the two of them had communicated and she couldn’t help wondering what her sister wanted. She sat up in bed and clicked on the phone. “Yes, Marti?”
    â€œIs the article I read in yesterday’s newspaper true?” Marti asked excitedly. “Are you and Virgil really back together?”
    Kara frowned. Why would Marti sound happy for them after all she’d done? “And what if we are?”
    â€œThen I’m happy for you. I know you don’t believe me but I truly am. I was wrong about Virgil, and in trying to protect you, I went too far. I know you hate me and—”
    â€œI don’t hate you but you had no right to do what you did and then to brag about it to the person you were talking to on the phone. You know the pain I went through when I thought Virgil was unfaithful. You let me go through that. You even had the gall to give me your shoulder to cry on when you deliberately lied about him.”
    â€œI thought I was protecting you, Kara. Why can’t you believe that? Why can’t you forgive and forget so we can move on?”
    Kara drew in a deep breath. Hadn’t she wondered the same thing about Virgil when he hadn’t accepted her apology? But there was one difference. “Because I don’t believe you regret what you did. Don’t forget I overheard that conversation you had with that person on the phone. You were bragging and boasting about how you screwed up my relationship with Virgil. If I didn’t know better, I’d think the reason you did it was because you wanted him for yourself.”
    â€œThat’s not true! I told you why I did it. I didn’t believe he really loved you and thought he would eventually hurt you. You’re my baby sister and I didn’t want you to go through the pain that...”
    When Marti didn’t finish what she was about to say, Kara asked, “What? What were you going to say, Marti?”
    â€œNothing,” Marti said, much too quickly to suit Kara. “I was wrong about him and I’m sorry. But it’s not about us anymore, Kara. It’s about Mom and Dad.”
    Kara frowned. “What are you talking about?”
    â€œThey’re on bad terms because of us. It’s all my fault that there’s a rift between me and you, and I hate that Mom and Dad are involved. Please let’s meet this morning for breakfast. We need to at least talk, Kara.”
    Kara didn’t say anything for a minute. She hated how the disjunction between her and Marti was affecting her parents. Maybe she should take Virgil’s lead and forgive but not forget. She doubted she could ever trust her sister again.
    â€œI need to shower and get dressed. It will take an hour.”
    â€œGreat!”
    Kara tried not to notice the excitement in Marti’s voice. “You decide