Copping Attitude Read Free Page A

counterproductive otherwise and it wouldn’t be fair to lead him on, have him touch you, and then have to deal with you wigging out on him.”
    “No,” Jenna said ruefully.  “That wouldn’t be fair.  Or pretty.”  Gordon Forks, on the other hand, had been plenty pretty.  Technically, he was even better looking than Noah, with a classically chiseled face and light green eyes.  But the instant she’d met him, she’d known she couldn’t do it.  Despite his credentials—and yes, the testimonials on his website—the idea of the man’s hands on hers had made her sick.  The idea of any man’s hands on her nowadays made her sick. 
    Not so with Noah.  At least, not quite so much.
    Kate was right.  Somehow, the idea of Noah touching her was scary, but it wasn’t scary enough to make her desire go away.  In fact, the fear only seemed to amplify her lust.  At least she knew she was still capable of being sexually attracted to a man, even if she didn’t have the guts to act on it.
    “You were assaulted, Jenna.  It’s normal for you to fear sexual intimacy again.  Let Noah help you and then we can discuss what you want to do.”
    She shook her head.  “No.  If I do this, it’s only so I can go after Stavish, which I’m going to do whether you help me or not, Kate.”
    Kate sighed.  “I know. That’s why I am trying to help you, Jenna.  Plus, when you’re done with Stavish, I’m hoping you can go on with your life.  Finally reach out for the happiness that you deserve.  Happiness that can involve a man.  Maybe it’ll even involve Noah.”
    Jenna laughed.  “Noah James, the police department’s lothario?  Didn’t you tell me he’s a sexual powerhouse, screwing a different woman every week?”
    “Doesn’t mean he can’t commit.  He had a long-time girlfriend about a year back.  And even though they broke up, they’re still friendly.  That says a lot for a man’s character, don’t you think?”
    “Depends.  Are they friendly with benefits?  Because maybe he’s just friendly because he wants to keep getting laid.”
    “And that is exactly why you need to do this,” Kate responded quietly.  “Frankly, your opinion of men sucks.  Granted, it’s understandable given your experience, but…”
    “As much as I want him, I doubt a night in the sack with Noah James is going to change my opinion of men—”
    She heard a male throat being cleared behind her and froze.  Several seconds passed before she forced herself to turn around.  The bedroom door had been slightly ajar and Noah had pushed it open.  He stood in the open doorway, his dark eyes lasering into her.  Humiliation punched through her, taking her breath away.
    “Maybe not,” Noah drawled.  “But why don’t we give it a try?  I’m game if you are.”

     

CHAPTER THREE
     
    Noah saw Jenna’s surprise in the way her body tensed and in the horrified expression on her face.  For a second, regret filled him but it was soon washed away with anger.  He’d walked in to check on them and had caught them discussing the merits of screwing him.  Their conversation confirmed Jenna was attracted to him and while he should have been jumping for joy, he’d found himself getting pissed.  She thought he was a “lothario.”  And the women’s discussion hadn’t been about want—it had been about calculated manipulation. 
    He didn’t like being manipulated. 
    Neither woman said anything so he turned to Kate.  “Now that I’m here and know the score, you willing to leave us alone so we can talk?”
    “Is that okay with you, Jenna?”
    He tensed, waiting while Jenna bit her lip, her particular “tell” when she was nervous.  Her answer was key, because if she didn’t trust him enough to be alone with him, she certainly wasn’t going to be able to get down and dirty with him.  And that was, after all, what she wanted from him. 
    Gordon’s mention of sexual hang-ups replayed through his head.
    Fine.  If