Ran From Him by Jenny Schwartz Page B

was a liar. She wanted him. They were consenting adults, without commitments to anyone else.
    “He doesn’t have to protect me from myself.” Six years ago she’d been little more than a child and unable to fight for what she wanted. But times had changed. She had changed. These days she took what she wanted from life.
    “I’m not vulnerable any more. I’ll never be vulnerable again.” It was her deepest vow. Never again would she let someone use her love against her, as her dad had tried to do. Her independence kept Cate safe.
    And if she wanted sex, she would have it. Just because she hadn’t wanted to share her body before, was no reason to make a big deal of it now.
    How dare Daniel make decisions for her! If she wanted to lose her virginity, then she would.
    Even if he continues to say no? Do you want to make love with someone else? whispered a sly voice in her mind.
    No! The rejection was immediate, visceral. She wanted to make love with Daniel.
    “But that’s reasonable.” She turned off the shower and began towelling herself dry. “My hormones are imprinted with him. He’s unfinished business.” And being with him felt wonderful.
    She dragged on her pyjamas and crawled into bed, snapping off the light. Then she cuddled a pillow and wished it was him.
    In the darkness she could admit that his rejection hurt.
    What sort of man suspected her desire for him to be an attempt to extract a sexual revenge for a six year old hurt?
    A man with vulnerabilities and sensitivities hidden from the world?
    “As if!” Cate rejected the rational voice whispering in her heart. “I’m not that petty.”
    But when he’d asked why she wanted to have sex with him, why hadn’t she simply said, because I want you ?
    Coward . When he’d pulled away, she hadn’t wanted to put into her words her need for him. Instead, she’d used words to hide that basic truth: woman to man, she wanted him.
    In the morning…in the morning she’d take responsibility for that desire.
    She heard him return at one o’clock.
    He walked quietly down the corridor, his footsteps slowing by her door but not stopping.
    Was he regretting his decision? Sleepily, Cate hoped it ate at him all night. Let him burn for her. In the morning, she’d apply the match.
     
     
    Cate brushed her teeth vigorously and looked at her bright-eyed image in the mirror. If Daniel thought that last night he’d seen sex used as revenge, wait until he saw her now.
    He wouldn’t ignore her, or walk away from her, this time.
    She combed out her hair, and left it free and curling around her shoulders. Then she took off her pyjamas and shrugged on her satin robe, belting it loosely. Deliberately, she mussed her hair.
    The kitchen was dark and empty. She put on coffee to perk and waited.
    The coffee was ready when Daniel showed up, shaved and suited and on his way to work. The bright morning sunlight showed lines of strain at the corner of his eyes.
    “Coffee?” she offered and smiled.
    “Thank you.” He watched her warily as he took the cup. “About last night.”
    “Hmm?” She sipped her coffee. How do you seduce a man over breakfast?
    He put down his cup. “Learning you were a virgin, it startled me. I didn’t respond very well.”
    “It doesn’t matter.” She hoped she sounded blasé. Her fingers shook. Maybe she wasn’t a natural seductress? She felt the sexy irresponsibility of last night slip away at the concerned expression on his face.
    “It does.” He took the cup out of her hands. His expression gentled, beguiled. “A woman’s virginity is a gift and a responsibility. Her first time should be special. I want your first time to be special, Caty.”
    “So do I.” She shivered as his hands slid up her arms under the wide satin sleeves of her robe. She gathered her dignity, remembering his rejection. “You were right, last night, to say no. I need to find a man who will enjoy my virginity with me. One who wants to share my discovery of my body