ThreeReasonsWhy Read Free Page A

and perfectly content with my
life. I’ve just now gotten to a place where I’m genuinely happy. Upsetting that
status quo isn’t something I’m interested in attempting.”
    “You don’t intend to date? Ever?” He thought back to what he
knew about Jill. He and Rick had moved to Madison nearly five years ago and
Jill had been the first friend they’d made. As he considered her words, he
realized that while she went out occasionally with different guys and indulged
in infrequent hook-ups with Seth Johnson, she’d never dated anyone seriously.
    She narrowed her eyes, glaring. “Don’t look at me like
that.”
    “Like what?”
    “I tell people I don’t want a boyfriend and suddenly they’re
eyeballing me like I’m a lesbian. Why is it so hard to believe that a woman
might not want to tie herself to a man?”
    “I don’t think it’s that hard to believe. I just don’t
understand why you’re so opposed to a relationship.”
    “I’m not against dating in general,” she corrected. “The
problem is dating can lead to marriage and I’m definitely not putting my neck
in that noose.”
    “I’m not asking to marry you, Jill. I’m just asking for a
date.”
    She held her hands out. “Sorry. Not interested in dating
you. I like my life the way it is. What can I say? I’m old and set in my ways.”
    Wes narrowed his eyes. “Thirty-three is hardly old.”
    “It’s old enough for me to have gotten to a nice place in my
life. I’m not looking for complications. If you were interested in dating
casually, I’d be your girl, but I know you, Wes. You’re a romantic at heart.
You’re looking for Miss Right, and I’m not her.”
    “I think you are.” Wes appreciated her candor, even though
he found it hard to accept. He knew Jill. He’d never met a woman who was more
comfortable in her own skin. He also knew she was being completely sincere and
honest, but there was a difference between contentment and genuine happiness.
He intended to show it to her.
    She reached up on tiptoe to place a quick, friendly kiss on
his cheek. “I know all about that dominant streak you try to hide. You like to
think you’re an evolved man, and in some ways you are. But I’ve seen glimpses
of your true spirit as well—the man compelled to protect, to shelter. You’re
used to calling the shots because you’ve spent a great deal of your adult life
doing just that. I call my own shots. Surely you can understand that.”
    “I don’t want to change you, Jill, and I don’t want to take
over your life. I just want to be included in your days. I want to be a part of
your pleasures.”
    She looked at him and he thought he saw a spark of longing
before she shut it down again. She’d definitely lied about not wanting him.
Unfortunately, she was stubborn as shit when she set her mind to something.
He’d have to work overtime to convince her to let him into her life.
    “So you’d be happy with no-strings-attached dating?” she
asked.
    “No.” He wasn’t going to lie about his intentions.
    She turned around, shifting items on the shelf. “I knew it.
I also knew you wouldn’t accept my words about what I want. It’s why I’ve been
avoiding this conversation. You just don’t listen. Typical man.” Her ranting
turned to mumbling and he chuckled at her last line.
    “You’re fooling yourself if you think you have all you need
in life.”
    She turned to face him, pressing her body against his. His
chest constricted at her close proximity and it was all he could do not to pull
her skirt up and show her exactly what she needed.
    “I need easy. I need free. And occasionally, I need sex.
You’re welcome to help me with the third any time you want, so long as you
understand nothing more will come of it.” She ran her hand along his side, not
stopping until she’d touched him from shoulder to upper thigh.
    Narrowing his eyes, he studied her face. She was trying to
call his bluff. Trying to distract him from his intentions with