The Tempting Mrs. Reilly by Maureen Child Read Free Book Online

said.
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBecause you meant something to me once,” she said and hoped to heaven he couldn’t see that he still meant something. What, she wasn’t sure, but it was there. “Because what we had was good.”
    â€œWhat we had is over.”
    His quiet voice jabbed at her with the strength of a punch to the stomach, but she didn’t waver. Didn’t let him see how much it hurt to know that all he wanted from her was for her to be gone.
    Instead, she asked the question that had been haunting her for five years. After all, if he wanted to be distant, he could give her the reason. He could tell her why he’d suddenly announced he wanted a divorce—without ever saying why.
    â€œIt’s over because you decided it would be.”
    He sighed. “Tina—“
    â€œTell me why, Brian,” she said and took a step closer. She saw his blue eyes darken, his expression tighten. “Tell me why you threw us away and maybe I’ll think about leaving.”
    She wouldn’t but he didn’t have to know that.
    â€œIt was five years ago, Tina. Let it go.”
    â€œYou still won’t tell me?” she asked. “Not even for the chance of getting rid of me?”
    One corner of his mouth quirked, and Tina felt a tug of reaction down low in her belly. Brian Reilly had one great mouth. Instantly, her brain filled with images of just what that mouth was capable of. Memories crowded into her brain, stealing her breath and making her blood hum with a sense of expectation.
    â€œYou wouldn’t leave,” he said, shaking his head. “Not until you’re good and ready.”
    Still feeling the rush of attraction, she smiled and admitted, “True.”
    â€œYou always were a hard head.”
    â€œComing from the Rock of Gibraltar, not much of an insult.”
    â€œDidn’t mean it as an insult,” he admitted. “I always sort of enjoyed our arguments—at least, I enjoyed the making up part.”
    A rush of heat swamped her, and Tina had tobreathe deeply a few times, just to keep her brain on track. “If you enjoyed our marriage so damn much, why’d you—“
    â€œSo, why’re you here?” He interrupted her neatly, clearly refusing to talk about the past. Again. Shifting position slightly, he leaned one hip against the chipped, blue tile counter. “Why now?”
    He looked dangerous.
    Always had, which she had to admit, if only silently, had been part of his appeal. Black hair, blue eyes, a broad chest, narrow hips and the ability to wear blue jeans like no one else she’d ever known. Of course he could get to her in a heartbeat. There probably wasn’t a woman on the planet between the ages of sixteen and sixty he wouldn’t affect.
    Swallowing hard against a sudden knot of need that had lodged in her throat, Tina said, “Nana went to Italy. She needed help with Muffin and Peaches.”
    â€œAnd that’s it?” he asked, eyeing her suspiciously. “The only reason? You didn’t talk to my brothers or anything?”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” she asked, trying and failing to read his expression. “The only one of your brothers I’ve talked to is Connor.”
    He didn’t look as though he completely believed her, and she wondered what he was thinking. Wondered just what else was going on. And even as shewondered, Tina knew she’d never find out from Brian, so she’d just have to snoop around a little.
    Brian had the decency to wince when she said Connor’s name. “Yeah. Sorry about that. I knew it wouldn’t work and still let him try.” Clearing his throat, he added wryly, “If it’s any consolation, you scared the hell out of him.”
    Tina smiled. “Actually, yes, it is some consolation. But it doesn’t tell me what I want to know. Which is, why’d you do it in the first place? Why is it so important