The Better Man Read Free Page A

she was
wide-eyed and seemed nowhere near sleep. Her fingers fidgeted with the mug.
    “There’s
nothing wrong with you, honey. There’s something wrong with Brian. You’re
fine.”
    “Then why did
he choose someone else over me? After all the years and all the plans we made,
he just decided to toss them away and me with them. For someone he’s only known
a few weeks.”
    God, he didn’t
know what to say. How did he comfort a woman who’d just had the rug snatched
from under her life? He could tell her that Brian was an idiot and she should
be grateful she didn’t find out after they’d said their vows…that she should
just forget about him and move on with her life, but that advice wouldn’t be
much help.
    “I gave up my
career to help his and now I’m going to have to start all over. Damn him.”
    Lori sipped her
coffee then glanced at Will. Just this morning, her eyes had been like
glittering jewels, so full of life and fire, but now they were just sad. She
smiled a little. “You don’t have to say anything, just let me get it out.”
    “He doesn’t
deserve you anyway. You deserve to be appreciated and loved for the beautiful
woman you are.”
    “You’re just
being nice, Will, but thank you.”
    Lori finished
the rest of the coffee, put the mug on the table, and got up. She leaned over
and kissed him on the cheek then disappeared into the bathroom. Will pushed his
fingers through his hair. He didn’t think he was doing her any good whatsoever.
Maybe he should’ve had Connie or one of the other bridesmaids bring Lori up
here. They wouldn’t have had any problems cussing Brian out, trashing him for
the bastard he was, and Lori would’ve joined in. It didn’t seem quite right for
him to be doing the same thing, though, no matter how much he agreed with the
sentiments.
    He pulled his
cell phone out of his pocket and opened it. As he started to scroll through the
numbers to find Connie’s, movement caught his eye. He glanced up to find Lori
had returned.
    “Oh, my God,”
he choked, though his breath had been knocked right out of his body.

Chapter Two
     
    Lori stood in
front of him so the fire behind her created a haloed glow.
    Her hair fell
over her bare shoulders in a tumbled mass. Tendrils, rich and thick, licked her
pink-tipped breasts. Her slim waist gently curved into full hips. Will’s
heartbeat crashed inside his chest, and he looked away before he completely
lost himself in the sight of her.
    “Put some
clothes on, honey,” he whispered. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and dampness collected
against his skin beneath his shirt.
    Want and need,
like a fist, tightened in his gut and sent fiery fingers creeping down into his
groin. He closed his eyes tightly and counted to five as he willed himself to
remain cool and detached from the woman who stood before him, completely nude.
Slowly, he opened his eyes again.
    “No, I won’t.”
Lori gazed down her slim nose at him, her mouth curved in a defiant scowl.
“What’s wrong with me, Will?” She stepped closer to him until her knees touched
his.
    Will drew in
his breath to get his thoughts in order, but only succeeded in drawing in the
delicate lilac scent of her perfume. Oh, Lord, that didn’t help at all. Thrills
rushed through his entire body.
    He focused his
gaze on Lori’s face. Her pale blue eyes were a mixture of fire and sadness.
“There’s nothing wrong with you. I told you that.” Even his voice was affected.
He cleared his throat, trying to remove the huskiness.
    “Am I a
desirable woman?”
    “You know you
are. Please, Lori, put some clothes on.”
    She shook her
head. “No.”
    Lori reached
down, gathered Will’s hands in hers and lifted them, placing them lightly
against her breasts.
    With a moan,
Will tried to pull away, but she held them firmly so his hands were molded to
the soft flesh, her tight nipples hard against his palms.
    “Stay with me
tonight, Will.” Her voice was low and seductive, the voice he’d heard