Bachelor Unforgiving by Brenda Jackson Read Free Book Online Page B

he’d given it to her and how she had thanked him. Just remembering how she’d thanked him made his lower body ache.
    Of its own accord his gaze lowered to her legs again, and he couldn’t help but remember the last time they’d made love. And how those same legs had flanked him, locked him between her thighs while she rode him hard. Damn. That should be the last thing he was remembering. What he should be thinking about was how Kara had caused him so much misery and pain.
    With the latter thought flaming through his brain, he stood to pull out her chair for her, pasted a smile on his face and said in a tight voice, “Kara. Glad you could make it.”
    â€œThanks,” Kara said once she was seated across from him. She immediately picked up on his mood and knew it wasn’t good. Just her luck it would be a carryover from yesterday.
    She glanced around. “Nice place.”
    At least he hadn’t chosen someplace where they’d dined before as a couple. This restaurant had recently opened and was part of the new development on this side of town. Since taking office as mayor of Charlotte, Morgan Steele had kept his campaign promise to grow the city by attracting new businesses and major corporations. While driving here she’d passed a huge medical technology complex as well as several communications firms.
    But it wasn’t the town or the restaurant she was focusing on right now. It was Virgil. And he was staring at her. “Is something wrong?” she asked him.
    â€œNo. Why do you ask?”
    She shrugged. If he hadn’t realized he’d been staring then she wouldn’t be the one to enlighten him. “No reason.”
    Kara averted her eyes, looking down at the menu that had been placed in front of her. Moments later she glanced back up at him. “If it’s okay with you, we can skip the meal and just discuss my action plan.”
    He frowned. “No, it’s not okay with me. I skipped lunch and I’m hungry. Have you eaten something already?”
    â€œNo. I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
    â€œThen what’s the problem?”
    She could give him a list but decided the less he knew the better. “There’s no problem, Virgil. I just don’t want to take up any more of your time than necessary.”
    Virgil’s penetrating stare deepened. “Trust me, Kara. You won’t take up my time, mainly because I wouldn’t let you.”
    He caught the glare in her eyes as she stared at him and it didn’t bother him one way or another to know she was irritated with him. In a way, it should. She had a job to do and he was well aware that his unpleasant attitude wasn’t making it easy for her. But then why should he make anything easy for her?
    Sighing deeply, he placed his menu down. Hadn’t he decided last week that he needed to move on, and in order to do that he had to get beyond all this anger he had for her? He looked over at her. “Kara?”
    She glanced over at him. “Yes?”
    â€œThat apology you made six months ago. I accept it.”
    For a minute she didn’t say anything but continued to stare at him. “I’m curious as to why you’ve decided to accept it now,” she finally said.
    He shrugged. “That shouldn’t be so hard to figure out. We need to work together.”
    â€œAnd can we try to be friends?”
    â€œNo, I wouldn’t go that far. I doubt we’ll ever be friends. Forgiving does not mean forgetting.”
    She narrowed her gaze at him. “Then why bother?”
    â€œDo you prefer I not accept your apology?”
    She rolled her eyes. “Do whatever you want to do, Virgil. I don’t care anymore.”
    He really didn’t care that she didn’t care. “Now that I’ve accepted your apology, let’s decide what we’re having for dinner.”
    * * *
    After giving the waiter her order, Kara took a sip of her ice