ThreeReasonsWhy Read Free Page B

sex. Two could
play that game.
    He reached up, cupping the side of her face, pulling her
close. “So now I know.”
    She frowned. “Know what?”
    “What’s been keeping you away from me these past two months.
Fear.”
    She shook her head. “I am not, nor will I ever be, afraid of
you.”
    Yep, she was stubborn. However, her last reason for refusing
him—spoken with such assurance—left him at a loss for a rebuttal. She was
hiding something. He knew it. He’d have to bide his time until he figured out
why she was afraid of getting too close to someone. Time to fall back and punt.
    He studied her flushed face and moved closer. He brushed his
lips against hers softly, quickly. “Fine, Jill. You aren’t afraid of me, and
you’ve given me three reasons why you don’t want to be with me. Now it’s my
turn.”
    “Your turn for what?”
    “To give you the three reasons why I’m not giving up on us.
Reason one, you’re perfect for me. You—exactly as you are right now. Not later,
after all these so-called changes you expect me to bring to your content
lifestyle.”
    She refused to back away, even though he still held her
close. He’d always admired her courage, her spunkiness. She never backed down
from a fight, which was why her distance these past two months had driven him
crazy.
    “Second, our bodies were made for each other.”
    She huffed out an annoyed breath. “There’s more to life than
sex, Wes.”
    “I know that, which leads to my final reason. I want to date
you.”
    “Date me?”
    “Yep. Goin’ steady. Boyfriend, girlfriend, an extra
toothbrush for you in my bathroom, your side of the bed, my side of the bed.
Dating.”
    She appeared dumbfounded by his words, her mind playing over
his completely sincere declaration.
    “I think those drugs they gave you in the hospital for pain
must have affected your brain. Or at the very least, your hearing. I’m. Not.
Dating. You.” He grinned at the fervor behind her refusal. God, she was
gorgeous. “Not now. Not ever.”
    He considered the heated passion behind her words and
wondered if she was soured on the idea of commitment. No one in her life had
ever made it very far with that concept. Her parents had divorced when she was
young. Her sister’s first marriage had gone to hell in a handbasket after six
years. Rick was pushing hard to set a wedding date, but Kate was in no
hurry—despite her obvious love for the man. It was inevitable that Jill would
have reservations.
    It was also inevitable that he would fight like hell to
overcome them. His mind was made up in regards to his future…and Jill Harper’s.
    “We can do this the easy way or the hard way, pixie.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    He grasped her hips and pulled her against his erection once
more. She held his gaze. “You can accept my invitation for a date now or you’ll
have to suffer my concentrated seduction until you say yes.”
    She grinned and for the first time since he’d entered the
room, he saw the real Jill emerge. “Oh wow. It’s gonna be tough watching you
fall on your ass, Wes, but I’m willing to give it a go.”
    He laughed and released her. “Here.” He pulled the help
wanted sign out of his pocket and handed it to her.
    She took it, looking down at the folded paper. “What’s
this?”
    “You’re looking at your new handyman.”
    She shook her head vehemently. “Oh no, I’m not. I—”
    “Pixie, I think you underestimate me.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “If this is a battle we’re waging, you’re going to face me
on the field every day.”
    She swallowed heavily, but he could see her considering his
comments. Jill never backed down from a dare. She was every bit as competitive
as he was. She wouldn’t run away any longer.
    “I need a handyman, not a lover.”
    “You know I’m perfectly qualified to work here as your
handyman and while I’m at it, I’m gonna show you how very wrong you are about
everything you just said. I’m going to