An Irresistible Bachelor by J. R. Ward

returned to him. “I’m not like those women you’re used to. I’m . . . just not.”
    No, he thought, she certainly wasn’t. She wouldn’t put up with being used and he had no desire to treat her casually, either.
    â€œI know that,” he replied. “I found it impossible to turn away from you. That’s my weakness. Not your fault.”
    Her head lowered and she stared at the floor for a while.
    â€œIf I stay, it’s for the work. Not because I’m interested in playing games. I don’t want you to do that again.”
    He frowned. “You mind if I ask why not?”
    â€œWhat kind of a question is that?”
    â€œWhat I mean is, do you have someone in your life?” He didn’t really think she’d answer him, but he wanted to know.
    â€œThat’s totally irrelevant. Because even if I were alone, that doesn’t mean I’d be looking for you.”
    He had to smile. “You’ve made that very clear.”
    Gradually, the tension left her shoulders and her chin started to drop.
    â€œSo, can we be friends?” he asked, surprised to realize how much that mattered to him.
    â€œNo, we can’t be friends.” Her eyes drifted back to the window. “You and I, we are never going to be friends.”
    He didn’t like that answer.
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œWe have nothing in common.”
    â€œUntrue. We both like art. Dogs. Grace Woodward Hall. I’m sure the list could go on and on.”
    She shook her head. “I work for you. Just like the other hundred or thousand or however many people make up the Walker Fund. I’m simply one of many—”
    â€œNo, you aren’t.”
    â€œâ€”and I want to stay that way.”
    â€œHave you always preferred anonymity or is this just a special case because you want to avoid me?”
    â€œThis time I’m choosing it.”
    Jack’s hunter instincts sharpened. “And when was it not your choice?”
    Quickly, she turned away. “This conversation is over.”
    She walked across the room and picked up her toolbox, putting it on the table with a declarative sound.
    He studied her for a moment, wondering what had caused her retreat. What exactly she was hiding.
    â€œTell me something.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œYou don’t know what I’m going to ask.”
    â€œAnd I don’t care.”
    More gently, he said, “I just want to know. Did you get hurt by someone?”
    She looked over at him, her eyes sparkling with outrage. “You’re out of your mind—you know that?”
    He stood up. “I’m just thinking it might explain something.”
    â€œAnd what exactly do you think needs explaining?”
    â€œWhy you pulled back from me.”
    The blush that came to her cheeks was just about the most attractive thing Jack had seen in a while. And it was confirmation, regardless of whatever denial she was about to throw at him, that she’d felt the same way he had in that closet.
    Her chin rose again. “Maybe it’s as simple as I didn’t like it.”
    â€œThat wasn’t what it felt like to me.”
    â€œThen maybe you just enjoyed it enough for the both of us.” Her eyes flicked down to the fly of his pants.
    The idea that she’d felt his arousal made him clench his teeth with need.
    He knew he should back off. He knew he should just let it all go because if he pushed her too far, she was fully capable of walking out on the project. On him.
    But he just couldn’t. Her defiance captivated him, making the compliance he got from other women seem pale and uninteresting.
    â€œCallie, I don’t care if you pushed me back because you don’t like me or because I was inappropriate or because I moved too fast. All of those are no doubt true. But I would appreciate some honesty. You liked it when I kissed you.”
    She gave him a righteous huff. “You ever have trouble