Page 11 of Cougar Chronicles

He shook his head, his eyes wide. “You really think I give a rat’s ass about your age?”

A prickle of defensiveness speared into Holly. “How old are you anyway? Thirty-two? Thirty-three?”

There went the lazy half-smile again. The one that made her heart go pitter-pat. “Twenty-nine, actually.”

“Dear God.” Holly’s body thudded against the wooden door.

“What?”

“What do you mean ‘what’?” That’s a difference of over ten years!”

He let out a chuckle and then said in an exaggerated drawl, “I done figured that out. Even a cowpoke like me knows how to cipher, ma’am.”

“Stop making fun of me.”

“Why not, Holly? You’re bein’ silly.”

“Silly? You’re young. You’re…well, I’ll just say it. You’re freaking hot. You can have anyone you want.”

“Right now, I want you.”

“What about tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow, I’m pretty sure I’ll still want you. And the next day.”

“And after that?”

“Christ, Holly. You want a fuckin’ commitment here? It’s not going to happen, at least not yet. I’m attracted to you. I’m hot for you. I’m so damned hard right now I think I could cut through diamonds. I’d like to get to know you—inside and outside the bedroom. If that isn’t enough for you, well, maybe Ishouldgo.”

Now he was talking sense. As much as she desired him, wanted him, nothing could ever come of it, for reasons she wasn’t ready to tell him or anyone else.

“That’s right. Go.”

“Look—” He gripped her shoulders.

His touch sparked a shiver between her legs.

“I spoke quickly. I don’t want to go. If you don’t want to go to bed, I can accept that. But can we talk? Have a drink? Or a cup of coffee? We don’t have to stay here if you’re not comfortable. We can go to a bar or a coffee shop.”

Her body was on fire, and she was tempted to spend the evening with this handsome stranger—for that’s what he still was, a stranger. However, it couldn’t lead to anything good, and she’d just be heartbroken when it ended.

Holly had already experienced enough heartbreak for this lifetime.

“I’m sorry, Jack. Just go. Please.”

“Aw, damn, sugar. Why won’t you let us get to know each other?”

“Because…” She cleared her throat. His dark beauty left her breathless. He was a sweetheart and he deserved the best—better than she could give, anyway. She gulped in some courage. “Because I have nothing to offer you, that’s why.”

“I disagree.”

“You don’t know me.”

“I’d like to change that.”

She opened the door and looked at the floor. “I’m sorry.”

Tears stung the inside of her eyelids as he walked away toward the elevator.

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