Keeping His Promise: A When It Happens Novella, Book 2 by Rhyannon Byrd Read Free Book Online Page A

because he needed to know the woman who was hiding back there.
    He’d had easy and shallow, and look where it’d gotten him. Natalie Richards wasn’t either of those things, and despite her prickly attitude, he couldn’t stop thinking about her.
    And, yeah, she was one hell of a challenge—but that wasn’t what had him so fascinated.
    No…it was the idea of being the one who got to see the real her, without all that fucking armor and attitude. Not because he wanted to be the asshole that conquered her, but because—and this was probably going to cost him his fucking man-card to admit—but the glimpses he’d seen of the real Natalie Richards had completely captivated him. The one who snickered at dirty jokes and hugged people who needed it, just trying to put a smile on their face. The one who sang out of tune when cutting up with her best friend, and let behemoth-sized dogs cuddle up on her lap without giving a crap about her clothes and if they were getting ruined.
    He needed to know that woman. Needed to somehow find a way to get her into his life, because every instinct he possessed told him she was worth it.
    Was it scary? Fuck, yeah. After what he’d been through with Dani, putting himself out there emotionally with any woman was enough to make his blood run cold—especially one who was so unwilling to give him a shot. But despite all of that, cold was the last thing he felt when it came to the fiery redhead. She’d gotten under his skin, and as strange as it sounded, Sean didn’t want to get her out.
    In fact, all he really wanted was to get her under him. Then he planned on showing her, in sweaty, explicit, heart pounding detail, just why they were going to be so good for each other.
    She might not know it yet, but his family’s motto had always been: If it matters, do whatever it takes .
    And that’s exactly what he planned to do.

Chapter Four
    A s the hostess showed them to a small table by the front wall of glass that overlooked the turbulent ocean, Natalie was relieved that Sean hadn’t taken her to someplace like Manolo’s, where they’d be surrounded by players making plays. She didn’t think her stomach could take it.
    Instead, he’d taken her to a quaint, little privately owned bistro—not far from his sister’s boutique—that was famous for its seafood and romantic atmosphere. She’d always wanted to eat there, but had never had a chance to. Now, thanks to Sean, she did.
    And best of all, no one in the restaurant seemed to recognize the sexy stud walking beside her, his hand at her lower back again, which meant he hadn’t been frequenting the place with his endless stream of hook ups. It shouldn’t have mattered to her so much, since they were only sharing a meal together—but it did.
    It’s just dinner , she reminded herself, as they took their seats. Not the start of a relationship. So chill!
    Considering all the shit she’d spewed at him, it should have felt awkward to sit down across from him at the candlelit table, while something sultry and soft played in the background. But when he simply started looking over his menu, acting for all the world like a guy who wanted a good meal and nothing more, Natalie finally started to relax.
    We’re just two people breaking bread together. Just stay cool. Stay calm…
    When their server came to the table, they ordered their drinks and some starters. She figured she’d probably sit there looking out the wall of glass, enjoying the breathtaking view of the approaching storm, and was surprised when Sean started a conversation, asking her the casual kinds of questions that enabled two strangers to get to know each other.
    He asked her about her classes, and she explained that she was set to graduate with a degree in business in just under a year. With honors, no less, which she was proud as hell of, seeing as how she’d worked her way through school. His scotch and her glass of white wine were brought to the table, and after taking a