For Love's Sake Only by Lena Matthews Read Free Book Online Page A

Hang up the phone.” Shaken by the fierce look in Ty’s eyes, Charlotte quickly pulled the phone back up to her ear. “I’ll talk to you later.”
    “Later?” Tamara jumped on the one word like it was the last lifeboat off the Titanic.
    “Why later?”
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    “Because I have company.”
    “The kind of company that spends the night?”
    “Yes.”
    “Ooh ... I want details.”
    Ty stalked toward her, looking angry as hell. “Hang up the phone now.”
    “Later,” Charlotte promised, hanging up without saying goodbye. “Ty, I’m surprised to see you.”
    “I bet you are.” His tone was as fierce as his expression, but Charlotte refused to cower.
    “Is there a problem?”
    “You could say that.” Ty pressed a hand against the window and leaned in close to her.
    “I’m really disappointed in you, Charlotte.”
    Crossing her arms over her chest, Charlotte returned Ty’s glare with one of her own.
    “Sorry, cowboy, I gave it my best shot. If last night didn’t do it for you, I don’t know what will.”
    “Last night was wonderful, as you well know. It’s your morning-after attitude that needs some adjusting.”
    “Lucky for you, you won’t have to worry about it any longer.” Ducking under his arm, Charlotte walked a few steps away. She needed to clear her head, and fast.
    “Charlotte, Charlotte, Charlotte,” Ty tsked, walking up behind her. Brushing gently past her, he took off his hat and dropped it down on the table, casually sitting down next to it. “I never took you for a coward.”
    It was one thing for Charlotte to call herself a coward, but quite another thing for Ty to do it -- no matter how right he was. Walking around him, Charlotte grabbed her briefcase off the table. “This meeting is over.”
    40 Lena Matthews
    Reaching out, Ty grabbed her arm and halted her exit, ruining her perfect parting line in the process. Bastard.
    “Far from it, darlin’.”
    “Listen, cowboy ...”
    “No, you listen. I’ve met some stubborn women in my time, but you, my dear, take the cake. Leaving like you did, Charlotte, was cowardly and low.”
    “You’re just mad because I left before you had the opportunity to.” That didn’t even make sense to her, but it was better than saying, I’m scared.
    Ty released her arm and stood back up. “Is that what you really think?”
    “Look, I’m sorry if I broke some morning-after courtesy. I figured it would be easier all the way around if I just left when I did.”
    “Easier for whom?”
    Finally, the million-dollar question. “For both of us. I just don’t want to make this into a big deal. We had a good time last night.”
    A soft smile passed across his face, causing Charlotte’s heart to kick it up a notch. “Just good?”
    “Okay,” she admitted, with a smile of her own. Who was she kidding anyway? “A very good time, but that’s all it was.”
    “It doesn’t have to be.”
    Was he crazy? Hell, was she? Because Charlotte was more than tempted. “Ty, we’re from two completely different worlds.”
    Chuckling, Ty brushed his callused hand against her cheek. “Last time I checked, Charlotte, Los Angeles was still on Earth.”
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    “Are you being obtuse on purpose?” Why couldn’t he have been like every other man on God’s green earth, and be happy that she’d snuck out? Without even thinking, Charlotte leaned her head into his hand. It felt so right. “You know what I’m saying.”
    “I hear everything you’re saying. I just don’t buy it.”
    “You don’t have to. All that matters is that I do.” She was going to remain firm on this.
    He was so capable of breaking her heart. After one night she was already in pieces because of this man.
    “Why?”
    “What do you mean, why?”
    “I mean, why are you trying so hard to push me away?” There was something very, very dangerous about this man. If he wanted, Ty could have her eating out of