It's Just Love by Kate Richards Read Free Book Online

two heads. “Love is
based on a five-year plan? How can love be part of any plan? It’s a gift from
the universe, from God, Goddess…whoever we turn to for comfort in the night.
It’s magic.”
    Magic, hah. He’d be pleased to enlighten the little witch.
    “Let me clarify. Let’s say the woman—you, for example, Miss
Nixie—see yourself married and the mother of two children by that point. The
potential other half of the couple—say, me—I envision being still on a career
path that takes up much of my time. We have a huge hurdle to overcome, and in
that situation, I think it would be best to look elsewhere for a potential
mate.”
    Coral’s jaw dropped, a pucker forming between her eyebrows.
Her fingers whitened on the arms of her chair. He shifted away, a little
gun-shy after the fracas between the earlier guests.
    “Why how gracious of you to let me down gently,” she said, a
sweet smile lighting her face. “It would have been so disappointing to continue
pursuing you only to find I didn’t meet your high standards of compatibility.”
    Silence from the audience worried him, but a glance showed
he had their attention. A lot of it. Every woman, and most of the smattering of
men, faced forward, silent and focused. Panic fizzing in his veins, he attempted
to salvage the situation. “Yes, there is no point in two people attempting to
make a life together when their five-year plans differ so drastically.”
    “What if they don’t have a five-year plan?” Coral’s question
seemed to unlock the rest of the studio from a trance. A buzz of whispers from
the women in the tiers made him wonder for a moment. “I—for example—have no
such schedule in mind.”
    * * * *
    “No five-year plan?” Gage’s tone held astonishment and
horror. “Everyone has a five-year plan.”
    She laughed. At his expression, his shock…at herself for the
attraction she’d been fighting the whole time they sat on stage. When he used
them as an example, he’d struck too close to home. And even outside by the
cars, despite his jerky attitude, she’d been drawn to him, interested in
getting to know him against her better judgment.
    His designer clothes that enhanced his broad shoulders and
trim waist screamed money. His shoes must have cost a month’s mortgage payment
for her cottage at the beach.
    But he had a beautiful smile. His eyes were a deep blue
she’d never seen the Pacific reproduce, a lot like the shimmering depths of the
Atlantic in the late afternoon, with the same golden glints, like sunlight
sparkling on calm water. And he smelled wonderful—clean and masculine. His cologne
held a note of sandalwood. Everything she liked.
    And nothing she wanted. He had theories and factors and a five-year
plan . With a sigh, she tried to force down the libido he’d awakened from a
long sleep. She rarely allowed anyone past casual, and there hadn’t been a man
in her life for a while.
    “That’s right, Doctor. Some people have no five-year plan.”
The sooner this charade was over, the better. Tom’s charm and personality had
tricked her into this mistake. If not a toad, perhaps just some extra hair
growing out of his ears? The image cheered her.
    “We’ll be back after this message from our sponsors.” A few
lights dimmed, and they were off the air. An assistant ran in to refill Harry’s
cup and offer drinks to Coral and Gage. “When we start again,” said Harry, “I
will ask a question, and you will both follow my lead. Got it?” His jovial
appearance remained, but his voice had changed. Low and commanding. Used to
being obeyed.
    Coral shivered, watching the colors of his aura shift into a
throbbing red. His friendly, casual demeanor in front of the audience was an
act. Harry Montclief dealt with things of the darkness, as well as the light.
Perhaps his success didn’t stem entirely from talent and good fortune. She
swallowed, wishing herself anywhere but where she was.
    Leaning away, she bumped the elbow of the man