style="font-size:15px;"> “What might do me good?” She was powerless to do anything but ask that question, because it appeared that all common sense had abandoned her in the face of one hot, protective biker dude.
He didn’t answer her for the longest second and Kate thought she just might die on the spot. “Rebounds can be fun. Something short and sweet, no strings attached—something to help you get past those years lost to Roger. I think you deserve a little fun, Kate.”
God, it sounded so good. So right. Because really—one conversation with Seth that didn’t even involve touching, much less kissing, and she was already more turned on than she could remember being in years. Seth would be amazing. Simply amazing. Maybe the best she’d ever had, in her limited experience. And who knew what would happen after the baby came. She would be struggling to get through the long nights alone. Romance would be the last thing on her mind.
What if Seth were her last shot at romance—or even just good sex—for a long time? Years, even?
Was she willing to let go of that part of herself?
She wasn’t, and she almost, almost said yes right then and there. Her mouth opened and the word was right on the tip of her tongue. Yes.
But she couldn’t get it out because she wasn’t the kind of person to willingly enter a sexual relationship just for the fun of it. Casual sex had never been casual. Not for her.
Still... “And you’re fun?”
That smile—oh, she was not going to be strong enough. “I can take care of you, Kate. Even for a little while.” His eyes darkened. “Just something to consider.”
And the thing was, he seemed sincere about it. He wasn’t boxing her in. He was focused on her, yes—but not intimidatingly so. “You’re serious, are you?”
Please, let him be serious.
He nodded, the tip of his tongue touching his top lip. Jesus, she’d never seen anything so seductive. “You don’t have to decide anything now. My offer’s on the table. But promise me you’ll think about it?”
She hated to ask this next question—but it was important she make a counteroffer. “And if I pass?” Because she needed the commissions he would bring in. She didn’t want this to be some quid pro quo situation.
“Then you pass.” He shrugged, as if rejecting his advances were no big deal. “Unlike some people, I know where the line is and I know not to cross it. I can keep business and pleasure separate.”
Oh, that hurt. Because with Roger, they hadn’t been separate. With Roger, she wasn’t sure how much pleasure had been involved at all. The longer she was away from him—and her father—the more she was certain that Roger had only been with her because she came with the company.
Had there been any evidence to the contrary? No. There’d been no late-night calls, drunken or otherwise, professing that he really loved her and wanted her back. No daytime calls, either. No flowers. No big romantic gestures, like standing under her bedroom window and blasting their song until she realized she’d made a mistake.
Nothing. They didn’t even have a song. When she’d asked what he wanted to play for their first dance, he’d shrugged.
And to think, she’d almost married nothing.
That did not mean that she wanted to jump into bed with Seth. It did mean, however, that the fact that he was making sense should be a source of concern.
So what if something short and sweet and fun sounded perfect? So what if it was Seth, who had made her feel safe from the very first moment she’d laid eyes on him? So what if the one man who seemingly gave a damn about her was the one offering to show her a good time—with no strings attached?
She had a baby on the way. There would always be strings attached.
“I can’t,” she said softly, unable to look at him when she said it. Because even if he was offering to make at least one of her fantasies come true, that wasn’t her. Kate Burroughs wasn’t that girl. She did what was expected of her and smiled and nodded and went along to get along. She did not have casual sex with a hot biker dude simply because it’d be fun and safe and so, so satisfying. That wasn’t who she was.
Was it?
The silence in the car grew heavy and she didn’t want to think about what would come next. Oh, she knew Seth wouldn’t hurt her. Funny, how she trusted him with that. She simply didn’t want the awkwardness. They’d laughed and joked and had an otherwise really lovely day together and she didn’t want to ruin that.
“Then we won’t. No harm, no foul.” He didn’t even sound upset by her refusal.
She peeked at him through her lashes. She didn’t know what she’d been expecting, but that look bordering on concern wasn’t it. Shouldn’t he be mad? Insulted? Frustrated, at the very least?
Not concerned. Not for her. “And you’re okay with it?”
He gave her a look as if she’d asked if he didn’t like to kick puppies in his free time. “Why wouldn’t I be? Besides...” he went on, leaning ever so slightly toward her. The tension between them tightened and she felt her own body move in his direction. “It’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind.”
And with that parting shot, he was gone before she could blink, out of the car and around to the driver’s side and opening her door and—again—holding out a hand to her like he’d be honored if she joined him. “Otherwise,” he said when she put her hand in his, his strong fingers closing around her own, “I’ll see you at eleven next Saturday. We’ll take more breaks and I’ll buy you dinner again—no arguments, Kate,” he scolded, cutting her off before she could protest. “I’m not going to run you into the ground.”
And maybe it was the hormones or the exhaustion or the way he’d growled at his friend—or maybe it was the offer of something fun and easy—but whatever the reason, Kate didn’t let go of his hand when she had her feet underneath her, nor did she step away from him.
She’d never known anyone like Seth Bolton, and she might not be able to make sense of what was going on in his head—because, again, he was attracted to her? But she was flattered and touched and interested all the same.
She shouldn’t be, but she was.
Instead of putting distance between them, she held his hand and maybe even pulled on it a little, drawing him in closer. Not close enough to kiss, but close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off his chest, warming her on the chilly fall night.
“I’ll...” She shouldn’t say this but damn it, what the hell. “I’ll think about it.”
Seth’s fingers tightened around hers and he favored her with a smile so dazzling she almost had to sit down again. “Do that,” he said, his voice a caress on the wind. And just when she thought he was going to lean in and kiss her, he instead took a step back. “Until next week, Kate.”
He waited until she’d gotten the office door unlocked before firing up his motorcycle and riding off into the dim light.
Oh, sweet merciful heavens—she really was going to think about this. About Seth and all those dream fantasies that had
