Bachelor’s Return by Clarissa Yip Read Free Book Online Page B

scandalous things he’d done to her. Excitement whipped through her. Should she? If he was going to bed her again and then walk away, would she last?
    She reached out and finally took his hand.
    James smiled and led her to his car, opening the passenger door for her. She slid in and he walked around to the driver’s side and got in.
    “Where are we going?” she asked as the engine came to life.
    “Back to your place.”
    She slumped in her seat. So, it was true. He was going to bring her home to make love to her, again. Then leave her and go back to Ellie. “I thought you wanted to talk.”
    “I do.”
    She didn’t say another word, but stared out the window, watching the street lamps flash by. Her heart was bleeding. What did she expect? She didn’t want to marry or have any sort of long term relationship with any man. But she couldn’t dissolve the hope that maybe James would see her as anything but the brat.
    Bitter laughter worked its way up her chest. She was such a loser when it came to this man. And she’d do anything for him, even if it meant giving him her body.
    James slid his hand over hers and laced their fingers. “I’m not going to see Ellie anymore, and you’re going to trust me.”
    She froze. “What do you mean?”
    “You’re going to tell me why you gave me your virginity.”
    Her heart started to pound. She thought of a retort, but exhaustion struck. All the years of hiding behind the wall of taunting remarks came tumbling down. She didn’t want to fight him, but then she didn’t want to be the one who got hurt, either. He had such power over her, and if she gave him that power, she may never recover. “It was time. I wanted to know what it was like.”
    “Don’t lie, Mel.” His hand tightened against hers.
    “I’m not.” She turned her gaze back out the window. “I didn’t want anyone else.”
    “Then why did you keep fighting me each time I saw you?”
    “Because you started it first. I’m not your little sister. I’ve never been your little sister and I was tired of you treating me like the brat you call me.”
    “It’s an endearment.”
    She scoffed. “And you call all the women you sleep with the same thing?”
    “No. Only you. You’re my brat.”
    Her heart warmed, but fear crept through her. “I don’t think we’re going to be able to go back to who we were. Maybe it’s a good thing you’re going back to the city after the wedding.”
    “Do you want me to go?”
    No. She didn’t want him to go, but he’d always loved the city, loved the social life it offered. Unlike Grant where it was easy to run into people and everyone knew each other’s business. The town was too small for James, but this was her home. She didn’t want to leave.
    When she allowed herself to imagine having a family and actually finding a man to marry and settle down with, she’d always thought of living close to her mother and Aunt Beth. Her sister couldn’t leave home fast enough. Melissa was different. She loved the town life. Grant wasn’t that big, but it was small enough to be comfortable and the pace was nice. Her job was here, her home was here, but her heart was lost.
    “Answer me,” James demanded.
    “You have your life. I have mine. I’m the brat that doesn’t have any friends and hangs out with our moms.”
    “You know I’m joking every time I tease you. You’re easy to poke fun at.” James maneuvered the car off the main road onto a side street near her apartment.
    She stiffened and tried to pull her hand away, but he tightened his grip. “I know. I’ve always been a joke to you.”
    “Don’t let your temper out. I’m not trying to fight.”
    “Then leave me alone.” She finally jerked her hand away.
    “I can’t.”
    Her head whipped back around, but then an orange glow caught her attention as the car drew onto her street. Flames leapt up from the center buildings. Fire trucks and police cars formed a barrier.
    Melissa gasped when she realized it was