McFarlane's Perfect Bride by Christine Rimmer Read Free Book Online Page A

head slightly, and taking a step back.
    He didn’t know whether to applaud her good sense—or reach out and haul her near again. And then she was turning, leading him to the door. He followed.
    Out on her front porch, the night was dark velvet.
    She touched his arm. The light caress seemed to burn all the way to his soul. “Thank you,” she said. “I had a really good time tonight.”
    â€œSunday,” he said, his voice lower, rougher than he should have allowed it to be.
    â€œWhat about it?” She gazed up at him. In her eyes, he saw that if he tried to kiss her again, she would let him.
    He didn’t try. A little restraint never hurt—or so he told himself. “Melanie’s having us out to the Hopping H for a picnic Sunday. CJ and me.”
    â€œGreat,” she said approvingly. “That’s what I’m talking about. Make opportunities to spend quality time with him.”
    â€œCome with us.”
    A slight frown tightened her brow and she tipped her head to the side, studying him. “Are you sure? It sounds more like a family thing.”
    â€œI’m sure. Come with us. You can keep an eye on me, see how I’m doing, interacting with CJ. Then later, you can give me more advice.”
    She laughed, the sound like a song in the night. “Oh, so that’s it. You want me around to help you improve your relationship with to CJ.”
    â€œThat’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Come with us.”
    â€œWhy do I get the feeling you’re after more than parenting advice from me?”
    â€œWait.”
    â€œFor what?”
    â€œFor this.” He dared to take her gently by the arms and pull her against him. And then he kissed her a second time. A longer kiss. Deeper, too. He wanted to go onlike that, kissing her forever in the cool almost-summer darkness. But then he remembered that he was exercising restraint and carefully put her away from him. “I would call that a spark. A definite spark.”
    â€œYeah,” she answered breathlessly, her eyes bright as stars. “Guess so.”
    â€œSo, then. I get a second date, right?”
    Her expression turned a little bit sad. “Connor. It’s problematic. You know it is.”
    He told her the straight-ahead truth. “I want to see you again—and not so you can help me out with CJ.”
    Her eyes widened. But then her soft mouth twisted. “It’s only—”
    â€œSay it. Tell me. I can’t overcome your objections if you don’t tell me what they are.”
    â€œOh, Connor. You’re here for the summer and then you’ll be gone.”
    â€œJust like CJ, with Jerilyn. Why is that okay for them, but not for us?”
    â€œWell, because they’re kids and we’re not.”
    â€œAnd because we’re not kids, we have to live for the future. Is that what you’re telling me?”
    â€œNo, not exactly. I’m just saying that a summer romance is one thing for two fifteen-year-olds. For adults, it’s—”
    â€œWhat? You won’t let yourself live in the moment just because you’re all grown up?”
    She laughed. “You know, Connor. You can be incredibly persuasive when you put your mind to it.”
    Triumph flared within him, a sudden bright heat. He was sure he had her. “So that means you’ll come with us?”
    She glanced out toward the velvety night beyond theporch, and then met his eyes again. “There’s something else.”
    The flare of triumph died. But he refused to give up. “Tell me.”
    â€œI…get a sense that you’re a good man deep down. But, well, you’re still one of those guys who think they own the world, someone who doesn’t care who gets hurt as long as he gets what he wants.”
    Apparently one of her friends had been saying harsh things about him. Probably whichever friend had told her he was trying to buy out the resort. He