Page 26 of Second Shot

“I’m not marryingyou.”

“Why?”

“Because…”

“That’s not ananswer.”

“You can’t beserious.”

“I am serious.” His hands rest on the counter beside me, trapping me. “Veryserious.”

Once again, my body responds to his nearness. Warmth starts in my core and spreads, and my heart speedsup.

“This is ridiculous. It’s not the freaking middle ages. We had a kid together. It doesn’t mean we have tobetogether. God, we don’t even like eachother.”

He smirks. “You may hate me, but you still likeme.”

“That doesn’t even make sense.”But it’s thetruth.

“Admit it. You care about me. You alwayshave.”

“No. I. Don’t.” I shove his chest, trying to ignore the ache in my core when my palms press against the hard muscles that ripple under mytouch.

“Yes.” He rests his forehead against mine. “You.” His breath warm against my lips “Do.”

“Lust isn’t like.” My voice is strained, my breathing speeding up, and once again I’m unable to control my body’s response tohim.

“So, you admit you want me?” He grinsagain.

The man isinfuriating.

“Admitting I find you attractive doesn’t help our situation. And it definitely isn’t grounds to getmarried.”

“Then move in with me.” He holds up his hand when I start to protest. “And before you say anything, I’m not offering because I don’t think you can take care of yourself. I want to be close to him. Involved. Not some absentee dad who only gets to see his kid every otherweekend.”

I sigh. “That’s not a goodidea.”

“Why?”

“Because it’ll just complicatethings.”

“Things are alreadycomplicated.”

I shake my head. “You know what Imean.”

“You’re worried about us havingsex.”

“No.” Again, I push against his chest. He doesn’t budge. “Maybe. Yes. I don’t know. Would you just stop touching me for one second so I canthink?”

“I’m not touching you.” He smirks down at me. “You’re the one that keeps hittingme.”

“Because you’ve got metrapped.”

“You sure that’s the only reason?” One dark eyebrow raises and his lipstwitch.

“God, you’re so damnarrogant.”

He lets out a small chuckle as he pushes off the counter, then raises his hands as if in surrender. “Okay, I’llbehave.”

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