Against Her Rules by Victoria Barbour Read Free Book Online Page A

relationship you’ve had. For the past decade or so it’s been
you going with the first woman who seems willing to toss her knickers at you,
no strings attached. Unless it’s a g-string. But I don’t want to know.”
      “So
you think I’ve just come to expect that every woman wants to have sex with me?”
When had he turned into that guy? When had he stopped being a nice guy?
      “Well,
according to my female friends, most of whom would give their left tit to have
sex with you, yes. Cam, look. You’re my big brother. I love you. But you exude
a vibe that says, ‘I’m here for a good time, not a long time’, as the song
goes.”
      “I
see.”
      “So
what’s prompted this?”
      After
giving her the story in a nutshell, with several interjections of “You idiot,”
and “You never!”, as well as one “If I were there right now I’d slap you
senseless,” he waited to see what she had to say next.
      “Now
you’re calling me because you want to know how to fix it?”
      “No.
I can fix it. I just wanted to know if...” He appreciated his sister’s candour,
but sometimes he wished she’d stop and let others talk. When Daphne got going,
it was hard to get a word in edge-wise.
      “You
want me to help you fix it. Because she’s a normal woman, and the only women
you understand are the ones who are the female version of you. But I’m only
going to help you if you know the answer to this question.”
      “Daph,
this is no time for games.”
      “Oh,
I’m not playing. This is the first time you’ve ever really asked for my opinion
in this category. And while I don’t know this woman, I’m not going to help you
hurt her. So my question is this: Are you just attracted to her because she’s a
sexual challenge, or is there more to it?”
      He
thought about it.
      “Well?”
      “I’m
thinking, damn it,” he growled.
      “Well,
you think about it. And if the answer surprises you, then you’ll know to call
me back. Love you! Now stop wasting our money. Next time, email me.”
      The
line went dead.
    ––––––––
      E lsie
had locked herself in her room and did something she hadn’t done in a very long
time. She buried her head in her fluffiest feather pillow and screamed in
frustration. Coming up for a quick breath of air she did it again. And once
more, just because it felt good. If there was one thing to be happy about, it
was that she hadn’t given in and kissed him. But that was also something worth
screaming about. Leave it to her to find herself attracted to an insensitive,
boorish sexpot. This was why she was single. Her taste in men was atrocious. At
least this time she had the good sense to stop herself before doing anything
she’d seriously regret.
      Up
until now, her biggest regret was wasting so much time even thinking about him.
The past day she’d let things slide. She hadn’t checked any of her emails, or
inspected the rooms for a couple of new guests arriving later today. The only
real bit of work she’d done around the inn since seeing Campbell Scott at the
door was wasted on him. All the effort to do up Will’s cottage. Going out of
her way to make a pot of soup that would stick to the ribs of a cold, hungry
man who’d spent the morning outside. Creating posters and making plans for a
talk that probably no one would care about. Really, birds? Who gave a shit
about birds?
      She
grabbed her iPad and started sorting through her mail. And groaned. As if the
day couldn’t get any worse.
    ––––––––
    T o: [email protected]
    From: [email protected]
    hi
luv,
    thinking
i need a holiday. could use a cuddle. see you thurs.
    ash
    ––––––––
      W hat
now? She googled Asher Corbin. Sure enough, he was in the news again. She tried
not to keep up on celebrity gossip so the headlines came as a bit of a shock.
    ASHER
CORBIN WEDDING WOES
    CORBIN
LEFT AT ALTAR BY TOP MODEL
    “LOVE
GONE WRONG”: NINA LEAVES ASHER