Page 50 of Flynn

“I am sorry.”

“For accusing me of aiding and abetting? Or accessory after the fact? Or perhaps it is colluding?”

“Flynn-”

He shook his head. “I apologize.” touching her cheek, he let it remain there for a bit, loving the satiny feel of her skin. “You have every right-” he stopped when she touched his lips.

“No.” she gasped when he nipped the pad of her finger with his teeth.

“I loathe lawyers.” Taking her hand, he turned it over and stared at the palm.

“Pardon?”

Lifting his head, he flashed her a boyish grin that stole her breath. “Present company excluded, of course.”

“Of course.” She gave a regal nod of her head. “Why do you hate lawyers?”

“They are bloodsuckers, always sprouting negativity and charging a fortune for their ill advice. I have an entire retainer retinue, and sometimes I think I should eliminate many of them.”

He circled the marks in her palm, causing her flesh to tingle. “And here I am besotted with one.” His eyes pinned her like a moth to a flame and made her unable to breathe.

“You cannot say those things to me.” She whispered.

“Why not?”

“Because-” She took a deep breath. “Flynn, this is madness. We are going too fast. A baby is involved, and we have an arrangement-” She rolled her eyes as he lifted his brow. “We should take it slow-”

“No.”

“Please just hear me out.”

“I am listening.” He linked his fingers with hers and gave his full attention.

“Our former people broke us.” He smiled at the term. “I have a history of picking the wrong men. Three relationships, and they were total disasters.”

“Only three?” he teased.

“The first one was in college, and he used me.” She shook her head. “The second was a lawyer, and he cheated on me. He led me to believe it was my fault. Looking back, I think it’s true-”

“Bullshit.”

“No.” She shook her head. “I am not excusing the prick, of course. He was a complete bastard, but I was all about work, and when I was working on an upcoming trial, I was single-minded about it. I decided to concentrate on my career, and that’s what I am doing.”

“You are saying that you have no time for me?”

“Yes. No.” She sighed. “I don’t know. You are growing on me-”

“Like mold?”

She sent him a wry look. “I look forward to seeing you and do not hate you. Far from it.

But I am so damned afraid.”

“Of what exactly?”

“Of being hurt again. I am telling myself I am a fool to venture down this road again.”

“You are not willing to take my word for it?” His deep voice had a quiet inflection that sent emotions quivering through her. He was so strong, so manly, the aura of power clinging to him like a cloak.

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