The Man Every Woman Wants by Miranda Lee Page B

looked like lovers, strolling down the hill together, hand in hand. But love had nothing to do with the feelings which were zooming through Laura. She tried to say something, anything at all. But she remained silent. Ryan didn’t say anything, either. When they reached the shelter of the trees which lined the creek, he let go of her hand and turned to face her.
    â€˜Tell me what you’re thinking.’
    She dragged in a deep breath which she exhaled slowly as she assembled her thoughts. No way could she tell him what she was really thinking. But she had to make some comment to excuse the way she’d responded to his kisses.
    â€˜I’m thinking you were right about my being too long between men. And kisses.’
    He frowned. ‘So you’re saying that that’s why you enjoyed my kissing you as much as you obviously did? Because you’re sexually frustrated?’
    She kept her eyes cool. ‘It seems a logical explanation, don’t you think?’
    â€˜True. But I can hardly make the same claim. I certainly haven’t been five years without a woman. But I sure as hell enjoyed kissing you, Laura. Maybe Erica was right after all. And so were you.’
    â€˜About what?’
    â€˜You said I didn’t know women as much as I thought I did. Erica actually went off her brain when I told her what I was doing this weekend. Accused me of fancying you.’
    â€˜Really?’
    â€˜Yep. I got so mad at her that I broke up with her on the spot.’
    â€˜You did ?’ Lord, but she shouldn’t have been quite so happy about that. But she was. Oh yes, she definitely was. How stupid could she get?
    â€˜Sure did,’ he confirmed. ‘I didn’t want to say so earlier on because I thought it might cause you some worry. But she was right, wasn’t she? I do fancy you.’
    â€˜ Really? ’ Now she was even happier! Until she remembered that Ryan fancying a woman meant next to nothing. He’d obviously fancied Erica and look what happened to her. ‘Yes, really . But my fancying you is not a good idea, Laura.’
    â€˜Why?’ Oh Laura, Laura, did you have to sound so disappointed when you said that?
    His eyes showed that she’d betrayed herself to a degree.
    â€˜You are a work colleague and I do not date work colleagues,’ he stated.
    â€˜I see,’ she said, not quite so happy now.
    â€˜You wouldn’t want to date a man like me anyway,’ he ground out. ‘I’m not what you want. Or what you need.’
    Laura shook her head from side to side. ‘I’m not sure what I want or need any more.’
    â€˜Then let me remind you: you want a man who’ll love you, marry you and give you children. That man will never be me, Laura. Because that’s not what I want.’
    Laura frowned at this last statement. What had happened to Ryan in the past that he never dared to risk getting emotionally involved with anyone? Something must have happened, because it wasn’t natural to shun love. Everyone wanted to love and be loved.
    â€˜And why is that?’ she couldn’t resist asking. ‘What have you got against love and marriage and children?’
    â€˜Absolutely nothing,’ he bit out. ‘It’s just not for me. Look, it’s as well that we’ve had this little talk. I would hate to think that I would do something tonight which we would both regret. Under the circumstances, I think you should ask Cynthia to put me in a separate bedroom when we get back.’
    Laura sucked in air sharply. ‘But I can’t do that!’
    â€˜Why not?’
    â€˜Because I just can’t!’
    His eyes narrowed on her, with a glint of wicked humour. ‘Is this your pride speaking, or something else? Don’t tell me you’ve been secretly attracted to me all this time?’
    â€˜Don’t be ridiculous!’ she snapped. ‘No one was more surprised than I when I reacted the way I