The Bachelor Read Free Page A

disinterest, and he didn’t think it was his ego talking.
     The sparks had been strong enough to light the entire town, the chemistry so hot an explosion had threatened. But sexual attraction
     wasn’t the only thing they’d shared.
    They’d connected on a deeper level, connected enough for him to share his dreams and hopes for the future, something he’d
     never done before. Revealing such an intimate part of his soul had left him open for hurt and made her rejection that much
     more painful, he realized now, thanks to the adult wisdom he’d lacked in his youth.
    “Maybe I will look her up.” Roman remained deliberately vague. He didn’t want to give his brothers any more indication of
     his renewed curiosity in Charlotte Bronson. Especially when he needed a different kind of woman, one who’d agree to his plan.
    He let out a groan, recalling why this conversation had begun in the first place. His mother wanted grandchildren. And Roman
     would do his best to give them to her. But that didn’t mean he could provide a spouse with all the strangling emotions and
     expectations a typical marriage entailed. He was a man who needed his freedom. He wasn’t a husband for all seasons. His potential
     wife would have to want kids more than a husband and enjoy being on her own. An independent woman who adored children would
     do just fine.
    Because Roman intended to get married, get his wife pregnant, and get the hell out, while doing his damnedest not to look
     back.
     
    Sunshine shone through the plate-glass storefront window, bathing Charlotte in incredible warmth and heat. A perfect setting
     for the tropical display she was setting up. She tied the back of a string bikini around the mannequin that would be featured
     prominently in the window, and turned it toward her assistant. “So what do you think?”
    Beth Hansen, also Charlotte’s best friend since childhood, chuckled. “I wish I were built so fine.”
    “You are now.” Charlotte glanced at Beth’s petite figure and enhanced breasts.
    Yorkshire Falls was a small town, four hours from New York City—far enough to remain a small town, but close enough to make
     travel to the big city worthwhile if the reason was good enough. Apparently bust alteration was good enough reason for Beth.
    “And you could be. You don’t even need to use too much imagination.” Beth pointed to the mannequin. “Take a look at her and
     imagine yourself like this.” She outlined the curvaceous shape with her hands. “An uplift would be a start, but an extra cup
     size would do even more to attract male attention.”
    Charlotte exhaled an exaggerated sigh. “Considering the interest this store’s been getting, I don’t need help attracting more
     attention of any kind.”
    As for men, she hadn’t had a date since her New York City days six months before, and though she was sometimes lonely, she
     wasn’t ready to begin the dating routine again—the long meals with drawn-out silences or the obligatory good-night kiss in
     which she inevitably had to grab her date’s wandering hand before any real groping could begin. Although, if she were ever
     to complete her life with a husband and kids added to her career, she’d have to get back into the dating game one day soon.
    “Every woman needs more male attention. It’s an ego boost and who can argue with that?”
    Charlotte frowned. “I’d rather a man be—”
    “Interested in your mind instead of your face or body,” Beth parroted, hands on her hips.
    Charlotte nodded. “That’s right. And I’d give any man the same respect in return.” She grinned. “Am I beginning to sound like
     a broken record?”
    “Maybe a little.”
    “Tell me something. Why is it the men who attract me are only interested in the packaging and don’t stick around for the long
     haul?” Charlotte asked.
    “Because you’ve dated the wrong men? Or maybe it’s because you don’t give them a chance. Besides, it’s a proven fact that