Collared (Going to the Dogs) by Zoe Dawson Read Free Book Online Page B

moxie to get whatever she went after, but in this case Caleb Shaw was challenging her. And, dammit if she didn’t find that wholly sexy and a complete turn-on.
    There was something else going on here, too. She hadn’t liked learning that her friends thought of her as a calculating, cold woman. Is that what they really thought of her? Is that what she was? Cold inside?
    Was she that way because she didn’t want to get hurt? Look like a fool? Get taken advantage of? She had a lot to offer, but did her money obscure that? It drove her crazy to think that every man who had ever come on to her had been blinded by her reputation, her wealth, her societal connections. It was damned frustrating.
    “What? You? Miss ‘I can get any man with a crook of my finger?’”
    “You’re right. I’ve never had it happen to me before.”
    “What was his lame excuse?”
    “His job…and we’re not compatible because I’m so wealthy.”
    “Well, he kinda has a point there,” Callie said.
    “What are you saying?” She felt a bit stung. Did her friends think the same thing about her? “Do you guys think I’m cold?”
    “What? No! Not at all,” Brooke soothed.
    “Callie?”
    “I will admit that when I first met you and you had your barriers up, I thought you were cold. But, Harper, we know you. The real you. I’ve never seen you anything but confident. What is happening here?”
    “Oh, God. Really?”
    “But once I got to know you, and you let down your guard, I saw a very warm and caring person. I understand why you have to be guarded. There are a lot of shallow people out there. But sometimes you have to take a risk. Only you can decide if it’s worth the risk in this case.”
    “Both of you took risks.”
    “We did.” Callie looked at Brooke then their eyes traveled to the two men laughing and talking at the bar. Her eyes softened. “And for us, it paid off.”
    “I don’t know. I want something more, but I’m afraid.”
    “Caleb is just a conquest, right?”
    “I don’t know. He’s different. All he had to do was take me up on my offer. It was a sure thing.”
    “But he didn’t,” Brooke said.
    “Why do you think that is?” Callie asked.
    “I don’t know, but it intrigues the hell out of me.”
    “Maybe that’s his game?” Brooked said.
    “Maybe, but…I don’t think so. He confuses me.”
    “Is that a good thing?” Callie said.
    “Maybe. I usually don’t stumble around with men.”
    “What are you going to do?” Brooke asked.
    “I’m going to show him I can fit in anywhere.”
    “Gasp,” Callie said. “You’re going to try to be normal?”
    “Yes, whatever it takes for him to realize that I’m not some stereotypical rich bitch. I have facets.”
    “You do,” Brooke said, motioning the men back to the table.
    On the way home, Harper convinced herself that she saw his reluctance to get involved with her as a challenge. She didn’t want to examine her real motives too closely. It wasn’t that he rejected her. She could have handled it if he wasn’t interested. But that hadn’t been the case. He was definitely interested.
    It was because he’d judged her, pigeonholed her. That she didn’t like. Just because she was wealthy didn’t mean she was like every other rich person out there.
    She had been lucky, actually, in that her father had raised her to treat everyone with respect. Caleb didn’t really know her at all. So, it was up to her to help him get to know her. She’d start by showing up at McGinty’s tomorrow night, just as he’d suggested. She’d bring the list with her.
    When she got home, Blue greeted her and she folded down and wrapped her arms around the dog’s neck, thankful she was safe. With Blue trailing after her, she went down the hall and knocked on Jeffrey’s door, even though it was late and she hated to bother him. He looked startled when he opened the door a crack.
    “Is this a bad time?”
    “Never for you, Harper,” he said, his handsome features