Bargain in Bronze by Natalie Anderson Read Free Book Online

though.”
    “Are you hard of hearing?” she said tartly. “How many times do I have to tell you I’m not interested in Tom?”
    “I understand that, but you’re still a distraction to him. You’re a distraction to me. To any male in the vicinity.”
    Oh.
    “I’m sorry I wasn’t as welcoming as I could have been,” he added.
    In what way was he thinking of welcoming her now ? Hell, she couldn’t let that happen. Not when she’d been so sidelined by just a kiss . “Apologies work,” she nodded. She did want to help Tom, right?
    “So it’s a deal?” Jack moved in closer.
    “I have one condition,” she said swiftly.
    “What’s that?”
    “No more kissing.”
    His jaw dropped. “You’re kidding.”
    “I’m not.” She’d have laughed, but it wasn’t that funny. She’d thought she might like a moment of hedonism—some sensual touch to provide a few seconds of respite, especially after the horror of the fire. What an idiot. In Jack’s arms just then? That had been more than hedonistic. That had been heaven. And it wasn’t happening again. A few more kisses like that and she’d be on the slippery slope to infatuation—and from there it might be only a skip from lust to love with a guy like him. Not just blessed with looks but with loyalty and kindness. His attitude towards his brother enriched his already extreme attractiveness. She refused to fall for him but judging from that one kiss, it would be easy. Love wasn’t in her future. Not after having seen it destroy her father.
    He looked amazed and then the dreaded frown reappeared. “I thought you said you didn’t have a boyfriend?”
    “I don’t.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m single. But that’s how I want to stay.”
    It had been so painful getting out of her previous relationship when it had gotten too serious—she didn’t want anything like that again.
    He relaxed. “You can be single and still kiss a bit.”
    Yeah, there was that too—he had player tendencies. You didn’t get to be as good at kissing as he was without serious experience behind you. No doubt he had multiple women lining up for miles. And Libby wasn’t a casual fling kind of girl. She’d been three-months-max, but even that had turned out to be too long. So she’d decided she was best off without and focusing on her business.
    “No kisses.” Then she frowned as an unsatisfactory though occurred to her. “Is your offer conditional on my being available for kisses?”
    “Now who’s the one being uncomplimentary?” He challenged. “I’m not a jerk. And I’ve never coerced or needed to pay for it.”
    No. She’d never really thought he would. Her chin lifted. “Then you’re fine with my condition.”
    Slowly he nodded. “So it’s a bargain?”
    She raised the bronze bottle in her hands—blocking him from coming close again. “Absolutely.”

Chapter Six
    Three nights later Jack hovered in the bakery, waiting for Her Royal Hazelnuts to show up. He’d been trying not to think about her—but the rampant erotic dreams that surged every time he closed his eyes had made that impossible. He decided he’d embellished her cute factor—she wasn’t that hot, he’d just been without too long.
    He glanced out the window and simultaneously smiled and frowned. The frown claimed dominance after a moment. She was in jeans again—absolutely hotter than he remembered—but she was wheeling a giant suitcase behind her and the pack on her back dragged her down, the straps cutting into her fine-boned shoulders. With her flushed cheeks and strained features, she looked hot and bothered. Ironic given that’s how she made him feel. But had she just lugged all this on the Tube? Irritated, he stepped out and took the suitcase handle from her.
    “You should have told me you had all this, I’d have picked you up.” He hauled it inside. No wonder she looked fed up, the bag was heavier than an Olympic “clean and jerk” barbell.
    “It wouldn’t fit in your car