Dating and Other Dangers by Natalie Anderson Read Free Book Online Page A

That’s part of being human.’
    ‘No,’ she disagreed. ‘There’s a difference between making a mistake and being abused.’ And Rafe
had
abused her—and several other young women. ‘Illusions shouldn’t be shattered like that.’
    ‘But everybody has to face reality some time.’
    ‘You think
that’s
reality?’ She was appalled. ‘So there’s no such thing as a committed, loving relationship?’
    ‘Happy ever after?’ Ethan shook his head. ‘No.’
    His cynicism hurt, even though it shouldn’t have surprised her. But she could acknowledge a portion of truth in his words regarding that painful episode.
    ‘Maybe not at that age,’ she conceded. It had been her second year of university. She’d come from a small northern town and she’d been sheltered. Cosseted, really, by over-protective parents and brothers. As a result she’d been gullible and so easily dazzled. ‘I wasn’t looking for marriage. But there could have been some kindness and some fun. Not justbeing another number on his list.’ Not being anything but an object. It had been a complete game for him. And once he’d had what he wanted—her virginity—he’d gone on to the next. Another virgin. In the very same week.
    Megan.
    Only neither of them had known about the other. About all the others.
    ‘You wanted some respect?’
    ‘And honesty.’ He’d played them both together. And others. And once they’d found out, by talking at night at a party one night, their friendship had been forged. It was the one truly positive thing to have emerged from an otherwise crushing, humiliating situation. And it had led to WomanBWarned.
    ‘You’re really into honesty, huh?’ Ethan’s brown eyes burned darker.
    ‘There can be nothing without honesty.’ Certainly not trust. And without trust or honesty or respect there was nothing to support any kind of a relationship.
    ‘But
you’re
not honest.’ With careful deliberation he struck at her integrity.
    ‘Yes, I am.’
    ‘No.’ He shook his head, a wry smile softening the accusation. ‘You’re not. You hide behind your website. Behind your stature. All wide eyes—like you’re this little thing whohas no control over the situations you find yourself in.’
    Stunned, she stared at him—he was wrong. ‘That’s not true.’ She hated how people perceived her as weak because she was little. She certainly didn’t think she was weak herself. She spent her life proving she wasn’t. ‘I was tricked,’ she said. ‘But I admit my own responsibility, my own stupidity.’
    ‘So you won’t ever be that stupid again. And you’re out to prove it with your website.’
    Nadia swallowed more wine to hide the mess of emotion inside her. He made it sound so simple. But there was much more to it. It went so much deeper. She stared down at the stem of her glass and breathed in. The oxygen hit, enhancing the flavour of the wine.
    ‘So tell me about working for Hammond. Is it as great as they all say?’ He diverted the conversation, his whole tone lighter.
    She didn’t lighten to match. Too late she realised he was following his game plan—“get them to share”. He thought by inviting her to spill her guts to him she’d actually
like
him for it? Even more wrong.
    ‘It’s fine. What about your work? Do you enjoy it?’ It was his turn to talk. She’d find his weakness and play on that—his rules.
    ‘It’s fine.’ He echoed her words dismissively.
    She looked up, finding his attention intensely focused on her. She couldn’t look away from him. Once more the room receded and there was nothing but his fire-filled deep eyes.
    Her senses were swimming now—from the sugar, the warmth, the wine.
Not
the company. She shook her head to clear the confusion.
    He broke the intensity, smiling at the waiter and signalling for the bill. ‘Time for us to depart.’
    The cab ride home passed far more quickly than the one they’d taken earlier. This time she wasn’t bothered by the seemingly small