The Seduction Game by Anastasia Maltezos Read Free Book Online Page B

school, and I had to learn to grow up pretty fast.” He leaned back on the sofa and sighed. The sound touched a remote part of Kate’s heart. “Sometimes I wish I had done things a bit different. I wish I could have spent more time with Dana. She was forever getting into trouble and I never realized until later in life she only wanted my attention.”
    “You did what you could, Adam, with remarkable results. If Dana’s any indication how you will be as a parent, I think you’ll make a fine father one day. Do you want to have children one day?” She was filled with an inexplicable need to know.
    He wiped his hands on his napkin, the movement rough and quick. “My job takes me away a lot. I wouldn’t want to be a father who’s never home.”
    “Is that what happened to you?”
    “Close enough.”
    “You mean when you were a little boy, your father never—”
    “Look, my father, my parents , are not people I want to talk about.”
    “Maybe this is something you should talk about,” she offered gently.
    His lips curled sardonically. “Are you one of those people who think all the world’s problems can be solved with talking?”
    “It doesn’t hurt. It’s not healthy to keep things bottled in.”
    “This coming from a woman who shuts herself away at the mention of an ex-lover.”
    Kate stiffened. “I don’t know what you mean.”
    “Don’t you? Come on, Kate. I used your bathroom, remember? The place is littered with men’s toiletries. Unless you mean to tell me that aftershave on the sink is yours, my guess is some guy hurt you so bad you run away from anyone who threatens your safe little world.”
    Kate froze. Ben’s things! How could she have forgotten Barbara’s apartment was littered with his things? She swallowed hard. “There…there was someone, but it was over a long time ago.”
    “And you still keep his bathrobe behind the door?”
    “I…I haven’t gotten around to clearing out his things, yet.”
    His eyes darkened. “Kate, why did you respond to my personal ad?”
    “I was looking for someone special, someone loyal, kind, considerate, and…and I liked what your sister said about you wanting to meet a nice girl.”
    “You were looking for someone you could trust.”
    “Yes. What about you, Adam? What are you looking for?”
    He shrugged. “I never thought about it like that. I take my love life one day at a time. I only have one rule.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Honesty.”
    “Oh.” She looked away from his piercing gaze and starting clearing off the table. His deep voice made her go still.
    “Have dinner with me tomorrow evening.”
    Dinner was a more personal invitation than recommending a good gym for her. He wanted to see her again. On a date. She felt a mixture of pleasure and regret. “I’m…I’m sorry. I can’t.”
    “Why not? I don’t think we’ll be short on conversation. Yes, we did get off to a rocky start, but we’ve had a pleasant enough evening.”
    “Yes, but I don’t think it would be a good idea.”
    He frowned. “This is crazy. We’re attracted to each other. You can’t deny there’s something between us, Kate.”
    She recalled what he’d said about honesty and her stomach tightened with shame. He didn’t even know what she did for a living. And she was using him, she thought with remorse.
    “I…I do like you, Adam,” she offered carefully, avoiding his eyes, “and we did have a nice time, but I don’t see how this can evolve further. We want different things.”
    “I’m not one to make promises, Kate. I was being honest with you when I said I take my love life one day at a time.”
    “I know. And I appreciate your honesty. I just don’t think we should put ourselves in a position where we’ll end up saying goodbye. I’ve had too many good-byes in my life and I don’t want more.”
    His face darkened and he looked like he was going to say something when the phone rang and the machine picked it up.
    “Hi, honey. I just called to