As Tears Go By by Lydia Michaels Read Free Book Online

and that’s what he got, even if it was cut short by her
Houdini act. Her life couldn’t afford the distraction, nor allot the time and
energy needed for what he proposed.
    “I see
that mind of yours working, angel. Give in. It’ll feel so good.”
    His
arrogance was intended to soften, but it only hardened her resolve. “I can’t.
I’m sorry. My life isn’t set up for what you’re suggesting. I don’t have the
time or the energy to give you what you want.”
    “I want
to please you. Make the time.”
    Yeah
right . Her
experience with men taught her they had ulterior motives in everything. “I’m
sorry, Braydon. The answer’s no. Please don’t make this harder than it already
is.”
    “Why no ?”
    “Because—”
    The
door opened and Braydon quickly stood. Becca’s gaze jerked to the entrance.
Nikki stood, clearly aware she’d walked in on something unexpected. “I’m sorry,
I thought you were finished.” Her brow shot up. “GQ?”
    “Nikki,
could you give us a minute, please?” Becca spoke quickly and Nikki smirked
mischievously.
    “Sure.
Take all the time you need. I’ll move our meeting to the other conference room.
Don’t mess up the table, kids.” She turned with a wicked grin and sashayed out
of the room.
    “Your
boss is the samurai sword lady?”
    “Yeah.
I told you that.” Great. She’d never hear the end of this now. It was difficult
enough convincing Braydon they couldn’t continue their affair. Convincing Nikki
would be plain impossible.
    He paced
to the other end of the table. “Let me take you out for dinner tonight.”
    “No.”
    “Why?”
    “I
can’t. I have plans.” It was true and the easiest excuse.
    His
expression hardened. “With another man?”
    Two
actually. “My ex-husband’s coming by.”
    “Do you
see him often?”
    “A few
times a week. It’s complicated and inevitable.”
    “Why?”
    She
sighed. He was trespassing on some very personal territory. Explaining herself
would only involve him more in her personal life, where he wasn’t welcome. “You
don’t have to worry about the whys of it, Braydon. You just need to understand
that the other night can never be repeated. And it won’t.”
    Objection
flashed in his eyes, determination to prove her wrong evident on his strong
features, but thankfully he didn’t argue. He gathered his belongings and simply
said, “Tomorrow I’ll be here with the negotiated terms of agreement. We’ll
discuss more of this then.”
    When he
left she dropped her head back and groaned. There’d be no surviving another
face off with Braydon McCullough. While she had very valid reasons not to let
him into her life, her body wanted him there in a way she’d never experienced
before.
    Bracing
herself for the oncoming hours of the day, she gathered her items, and returned
to the sanctuary of her office.

 
    * * * *

 
    Becca
changed from work clothing into cotton pants and a T-shirt. The rattle of the
garage door echoed at quarter to six as Kevin arrived. Steeling herself for the
unpredictable hours to come, she noted his premature return.
    A sharp
shrill filtered through the walls before she made it to the garage. Her mind
prepared a list of approaches as her feet swiftly carried her across the
kitchen floor.
    The
sound of Hunter’s high-pitched squeals doubled in volume, piercing her ears, as
she opened the door. Becca drew in a deep breath and called loudly over the
ruckus. “Welcome home, Hunter. I missed you.”
    Her son
ignored her welcome and paced to Kevin’s car, repeatedly opening and slamming
the door. “No, no, no, no, no.”
    Becca
tensed. Kevin’s ill-concealed impatience spoke of his utter hopelessness.
Leaving the shade of the garage, she approached the driveway. “Hit the locks,”
she muttered to her ex as she passed him.
    When
she reached Kevin’s car, she plainly said, “Oh no. We don’t slam doors. That’s
how we hurt ourselves. Why don’t you come inside and have some juice, bud? You
can