Not a Second Chance Read Free Page A

the table, then tipped his head back and laughed.
    “No, you’re wrong. I’m having cake because I’ve had a rough week. And it just turned into a very rough week.”
    “Fine. Eat your cake.”
    “I will. Don’t watch my mouth while I do it.”
    “If you insist. “ He closed his eyes and rested his hands in his lap.
    Allison turned toward the window and started on the remaining third of her slice while trying to forget about the man beside her.
    And she was having some success until he said, “Want to know what I’m picturing with my eyes closed?”
    She glared at him before realizing he couldn’t see her expression. “I’ll pass. And I suggest you think about sunshine and rainbows instead.”
    “I’m curious to hear what you believe I’m thinking about.”
    “Well, you’re out of luck.”
    Allison quietly picked up her cake and coffee. She walked to the back of the bakery and sat down at a table, where she finished her cake without any interruption.
    Eliza came over and collected her dishes. “He’s hot.” She glanced toward Sidney. “What’s up with you two?”
    “My ex,” Allison said, looking at him out of the corner of her eye. He seemed blissfully unaware that she’d deserted him. “Haven’t seen him in ten years. For good reason.”
    Eliza nodded and said nothing more. As she walked back to the counter, Sidney opened his eyes and looked about. He waved at Allison.
    She could just leave. Walk out the door and hope she never saw him again.
    But she couldn’t seem to haul herself out of the chair as she watched him swagger over to her table, every gorgeous inch of him getting closer and closer. There was some kind of invisible glue working its magic on her ass, some kind of invisible force that would not let her look at anything but him, some strange kind of electricity sending currents of desire down her spine.
    This was bad.
    “Back corner,” he said. “Interesting choice.”
    “As far away from you as I could get.”
    “Without actually leaving.” He sat down and shifted his chair close to hers. “Let me help you make the decision.”
    “What decision are you—”
    His mouth was on hers before she could finish that sentence, his hand on the back of her head, pulling her toward him. His other hand crept up her shoulder to her neck, just above the collar of her shirt. He stroked her bare skin as he brushed his lips over hers, and she closed her eyes and sank into his kiss. But even though it felt damn good, even though her entire body came alive at his touch, she didn’t kiss him back. She just slid her hand onto his knee and let him have his gentle way with her at the back of the bakery, keeping her eyes closed so she couldn’t see who was watching. So she couldn’t see him .
    He didn’t kiss her for very long. Just long enough for her to know she had no chance of turning him down.
    Irritating, irresistible man.
    And he knew it.
    “When we go back to your place, do you promise to be an active participant?” he said.
    “Yes.” If only she was immune to his charms. Unfortunately, she wasn’t. “But let’s be clear on what’s going to happen. We are going back to my condo to have sex. It has to be quick because I’m having dinner with my friends at seven thirty. And then you will leave, and you will never come back. This will not become a regular thing, the two of us sleeping together.”
    “Always so bossy.” He dropped his forehead to hers. “Okay, I promise. But—”
    “One more thing. You will talk as little as possible, or you risk getting kicked in the balls. Got it?”
    “Perhaps that’s a risk I’m willing to take,” he said, sliding his hand through her hair.
    “Then you’re an idiot. You better do as I say.” But she didn’t put much force into her words. In her mind, she was already lying naked on her stomach as he kissed his way down her back.
    She couldn’t believe she was going to have sex with Sidney. She clenched her thighs as she imagined him