Her Irresistible Troublemaker (A Town Named Eden Book 3) by Sonia Parin Read Free Book Online

you’ve met recently?”
    Trust Ava to hit a bullseye. “Are you pedaling back there or just sitting back and looking pretty? Come on, put your back into it, we’re going uphill and this is supposed to be a team effort.”
    “Interesting. You’re avoiding answering the question. So, who is he?”
    “No one.”
    “There has to be some gain to all this pain. I’m guessing it’s your neighbor.”
    “Ava, he’s not my neighbor. Jack is... The man who keeps walking away from me.”
    “Ah ha. I knew it. You’ve got a thing for him. And yes, before you ask, you said that out loud.”
    Lexie’s attention drifted to a cyclist ahead. She tried to appreciate his lean back and gorgeously firm butt. She forced herself to take in the sinewy muscles on his calves. She urged her heart to pump a little harder with excitement. And when the cyclist steered off the path running along the river and onto the road, Lexie tried to stamp the image of his athletic body in her mind for future reference, but the moment she lost sight of him the mental image faded to nothing and was immediately replaced by a set of calm, dark gray eyes, firm chin, kissable lips...
    “Would you spend time with someone who’s interested in you because you’re not interested in dating?” A full minute of silence had Lexie turning to check if Ava had heard her. “Any thoughts?”
    “I need more information.”
    Thinking it was too late to retract the conversation starter, Lexie nodded. “Let’s say he, this hypothetical man, wouldn’t mind hanging out with you but doesn’t want it leading anywhere.” She didn’t know for sure, but that was the impression Jack had given her, or at least the one she’d decided made more sense. Why else would he suggest she date someone she wasn’t attracted to?
    “Is he gay?”
    “No.”
    “You’re talking about a platonic relationship.”
    “Yes.”
    “Then I’m not sure. What if I changed my mind and decided I was attracted to him? I’d be in trouble then because I’d have to convince him to start seeing me in a new light. On the other hand, it’d be worse if he changed his mind and I didn’t. I’d have to deal with unwanted attention and be forced to be gentle and diplomatic. Something you know I’m not very good at.”
    “You’re one of the few people I know who can get away with being blunt,” Lexie agreed while her mind churned out thoughts of unrequited lust.
    “So, when are you going out with this hypothetical man?”
     
    * * *
     
    “You came to talk to me about dad?” Jack scowled at Mason. “Today’s Sunday. You’d think I could at least have one carefree day.”
    Mason laughed. “You’re wielding your paintbrush. It can’t be much of a carefree day. Hang on a sec,” his brother said and turned his attention to a call.
    Jack had considered taking the day off, but then he’d thought about Lexie and before he’d known what he was doing, he was driving over to the building site. In a few weeks, the project would be completed. He’d be moving on to something else and she would be...
    Out of sight, out of mind.
    Meanwhile…
    He raked his fingers through his hair. What did he want to do? How did he want to handle this burgeoning interest?  By finding a way to stay focused and on track, that’s how. Ever since meeting Lexie Gardner, she’d been weaving her way around his thoughts.
    Jack gave a firm nod. He’d worked hard to simplify his life. He’d worked even harder to maintain a safe distance from all distractions. This really wasn’t the time to let his mind wander.
    He needed to continue growing his business and think about where he wanted to be in ten years’ time. These were still early days for him. He’d made a success of his career in banking, but somewhere along the line he’d lost the passion for it. Then he’d found it again in an investment property he’d purchased.
    He’d started spending his weekends and a few evenings here and there renovating it, but