Page 19 of Love Untrusted

“I am.”

“Let me make it up to you.”

“You couldn’t.”

He tilted his head around, blocking her view of the French doors with the lace white curtains over them. It probably wasn’t easy to see inside the house, what with the sun so bright, but it wasn’t impossible.

“Miguel.”

“I don’t give up easily.” He kissed her lips. A shock of desire shot to her core. “In fact, I never give up.”

“In other words, you get what you want, and if there’s resistance you ignore it?”

“Of course not.” His words were firm, but he didn’t sound angry.

“Look, don’t take it out on the boys. They were probably the ones to tell you that nonsense about David and me. It was just their way of trying to protect me. They’ve got a lot of growing up to do, but I love them.”

He straightened. “It seems to me that no one makes them responsible for their actions, so they’re immature.”

She didn’t respond, and he sighed.

“It’s not my place to correct my brothers. I’ll leave them to Aunt Rosa.”

Disappointment rose in her. That wasn’t what she wanted either, but she couldn’t tell him. Miguel would have to want to influence his brothers for the better. She saw such potential in them—and him—if he stayed. He could be free from the resentments of the past, and the twins she loved so much could grow to be strong responsible men. No one knew what the future held, so she held onto hope.

She left his side and tried to go out the door again. He blocked her path, and she glared at him. A word or two could make him back off, but the truth was she didn’t want that. Something told her Miguel could sense it too, so he wasn’t about to let her off the hook.

It was true, she was still mad at his arrogant reaction to thinking she had slept with his brother. She got that it was because of how his dad had been, and apparently how David used to be. It didn’t change the fact that he had judged her based on them. She didn’t forget the fact that before he knew the truth, he’d tried to make up with her.

You just want him to kiss you again.

It was true. She liked the taste of his lips and the strength radiating from his being. She didn’t love him, and Miguel didn’t give her the impression that if she gave in to him they could move toward something that powerful. This was just some serious attraction to explore. Nothing else. So didn’t that make it safe?

“Go out with me again,” he suggested.

“No.”

He had the nerve to look surprised, and she laughed. He was about to speak, but she touched his lips. Even just that much turned her on. The memory of his kiss did things to her insides. She wanted to forget about ribs and salad and cake and just jump his bones.

“I don’t want to date.” Her scalp prickled. She had never spoken like this to a man. “I don’t want to hurt or be in love. I still have feelings for your brother I’m t

rying to get over. Do you understand?”

A flash of anger surfaced in his eyes, but it was gone in an instant. “You’re telling me to back off and leave you alone.”

“No.”

That surprised him too. She clenched her fingers around the cart’s handle. For some reason, she felt more vulnerable than she’d felt confessing her heart to David.

“I’m saying if you can accept my unresolved emotions and the fact that I did care about him, then we can be lovers. It can last a day or two or whatever. A part of me just wants to see if I can bury those feelings faster.”

“In other words, you want to use me?” He seemed amused.

She shrugged. “Sure.”

His amazing eyes glittered brightly, and his eyelids lowered over them as if to hide her seeing what he was thinking. “I don’t mind being used by a beautiful woman for my body.”

“Good. Now if you’ll let me by…” She maneuvered the cart around him, but he kept her from opening the door and drew her into his arms. His mouth claimed hers in a kiss that was far less gentle than the one he had planted earlier. All of her senses scrambled, and every drop of energy drained from her body. She sagged against his chest, defenseless and weak. He held her up with ease.

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