Lesson in Love (Olympians, 2) by Marie Medina Read Free Book Online

the mirror hanging in the short hallway. He looked
good, but he also looked like he hadn’t made too much effort. Just
jeans and a black shirt, untucked at that. He looked like he was
just dropping by. At least, he hoped he did.
    “ Come in,” Iris
called.
    He opened the door and stepped inside,
closing the door halfway. Again, an effort to seem casual. “Hi. I
just wanted to see how you were.”
    Iris looked up from the computer, and
he couldn’t read her expression. “I’m fine. How are
you?”
    “ I’m good. I just wanted
to see how your visit went.”
    “ My visit?”
    “ To your mother. After our
little, uh, outing last week.”
    “ Good,” she said, nodding.
“Very nice. She was happy I came by.”
    He nodded too. “Great. I hope you had
a good time with me, too.”
    She smiled, but he still couldn’t tell
how she felt about him showing up. “Yes, I did. It was nice to just
take a walk and talk with you.”
    Nice. Just nice? “So how about dinner tonight? Nice and casual.
Wherever you want to go.”
    She looked back at her computer and
clicked the mouse a few times. “I don’t see why not.” She stood up.
“I skipped lunch. Are you ready now?”
    He thought quickly. His actual plan
had been to seem nonchalant, and then come back dressed up and
carrying flowers. If he stalled and came back later, she wouldn’t
be as receptive no matter what he showed up with, so he nodded.
“Yes. Wherever you’d like to go. What are you in the mood
for?”
    “ Hmmm. Just someplace
quiet and out-of-the-way.” She thought for a moment. “I’d actually
love pizza if you’re up for it.”
    He nodded. “Sure.” Pizza didn’t sound
romantic, but it could be very intimate. They could find a nice
little place and sit in a corner booth. It wasn’t what he’d had in
mind, but it might still work just fine.
    “ How about the little
place down the street? It has great specialty pizzas.” She walked
to her coatrack and started putting on her sweater. “Is that
okay?”
    “ That sounds good. I’ve
never been there. I’d love to try it.”
    “ You’re certainly being
accommodating.”
    “ I am?” What’s she getting at?
    “ Yes. You are. You must
want something.”
    He tried to keep his face blank. “I
want to take you to dinner.” If he said he wanted her, she wouldn’t
believe him. Either that or she’d take it as a cheap come-on. If he
let the hurt show on his face, she’d think it was faked. He didn’t
know what to do.
    “ I know that. You must
want something more?”
    He didn’t think being
completely honest would get him too far, so he decided to be a
little honest. “I still want exactly what I told you. I want to
show you who I really am. And yes, to be blunt, I do want to sleep
with you. Anytime you’re ready, so am I.” That should give her something to mull over.
    She nodded. “I see. I knew that. Is
that all?”
    I want you to want me. I
want you to like me. He came so close to
saying it, but he didn’t. Saying he wanted to prove he was likeable
was much safer than saying he wanted her to like him. That
statement would have too many implications and leave him too
vulnerable.
    “ Are you going to answer
me?”
    “ Hmmm?” It took him a
moment to realize he hadn’t replied to her at all. “Sorry. I was
thinking.”
    “ Must be something
serious.”
    He resented the implication he never
thought about anything but the next girl he’d bring to his bed. He
knew that was what she thought. “I don’t seduce every woman I meet,
you know.”
    She looked confused. “I never said you
did, and I don’t think that. I promise I don’t.” She looked down
and then took a few steps forward. “Look, I’m sorry I teased you.
You came to take me out, and all I’ve done is give you grief. You
should be angry with me.”
    As soon as her apology sank in, he
felt terrible. How could she do that? He’d been angry, but now he
felt like he’d made the mistake. He still thought he was