Page 36 of Cooper

“Yes.”

“And I can beinvolved with someone else while this hooking up happens.”

“That’swhat I said.” She was irrationally angry at having her wordsthrown back at her.

“Take it or leave it.”

“You aretelling me I don’t have a choice.”

“I would thinka man like you would love something like that.”

“What do youmean, a man like me?”

“Rich,good-looking, and never satisfied with just one woman.”

“And you knowthis about me - because?”

“I know menlike you.”

“Lady, youdon’t know a damn thing.”

Turning away, shepicked up the messages Miranda had forgotten to give her. She heardwhen he came up behind her and steeled herself to stay where she was.

His hands clamped onher shoulders and turned her around. “Who was he?” Heasked softly.

“I don’tknow what you mean.”

“Who was thebastard who gave you this skewered view of what a relationship shouldbe?”

“That’snone of your business.”

“I am making itmine. An old boyfriend?”

“Are youaccepting the terms or not?”

“Not.”His eyes flickered over her face and settled on her lush bottom lip.He wanted her so much he was aching. He had held her slender, petitebody against his and had almost taken her right there against thedingy wall.

He had figured outthat there was something there, some untreated issue that wouldinterfere with him going forward, and realized from her speech whatit was. She had trust issues, serious ones. She would have the upperhand if he gave into her ‘terms,’ as she put it, and hecould not bear that.

From the start, hewould be at her mercy; she would call the shots and never allow themto move forward.

“Well then-”She started pushing him away.

“I was notfinished.” He held her firm.

“What else isthere to say?” She demanded.

“You had yoursay, and now it’s my turn.” One hand clamped around herneck, fingers massaging the flesh. “I do not just want aphysical relationship with you, Brooke; I want the whole works. I canget sex anywhere, yes-”

He interpreted thedisgust on her face. “I am a wealthy man, and I happen to be adoctor. I can pretty much get any woman I want. But for the firsttime in my life, I have fallen in love-” His grip tightened asshe jerked against his hold. “So, you see, I am going to wantit all - going out on dates and getting to know each other.”

“Are you done?”She asked him freezingly. Her heart had started behaving erraticallyat his words, and she had to make a conscious effort to stop fromtrembling.

“Not quite.”

“Well, I am,and it’s getting late. Like I said before, if you areinterested in having sex, then give me a call. I am not interested ina relationship with you or anyone else. And to throw around a wordlike that- I-” Her voice trailed off, and she refused to lookat him.

“The wordlove?” He asked her softly. “Was I throwing it around?”

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