And Then He Kissed Me Read Online Free Page B

me.”
    He stuck his hands in his pockets. “I’m not. I just don’t understand where you’re going with this.”
    â€œWe hadn’t finished our dinner salads before the other Nick was back, the one I can’t reach because he’s buried in business.”
    Funny, he thought. That’s almost what Abby had said to him earlier. “You make me sound like a schizophrenic, Madison.”
    â€œYou are. At least now you are. When we first met, you were attentive. You courted me. It’s what made me fall—” She pulled herself up to her full five feet,
one inch, a bit more with heels, and looked him in the eye. “Now you’re like two people. The fun-loving Nick and the one who’s only interested in profits over the last year. The latter is the guy I always see. I’m not sure I like him.”
    â€œNext you’ll accuse me of having an evil twin.”
    â€œThat’s what it feels like.”
    â€œYou’re exaggerating—”
    â€œAm I? Think about it, Nick.”
    He did, trying to remember, and came up empty. He put his hands on her waist and felt her stiffen. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    She shook her head. “It’s all right. This probably wasn’t the right time to bring it up.”
    â€œI get the feeling you’re holding something back.”
    She smiled a little sadly. “You’re very perceptive when you want to be. I’ve been wondering lately if we shouldn’t take a break from each other.”
    â€œAre you serious?”
    â€œYes. I saw the look in your eyes earlier when you explained that Abby Ridgeway was the reason you were late.”
    â€œThat’s right. Abby and I were talking business.”
    â€œThat’s not the way it looks to me. I suspect you have feelings for her that have nothing to do with business.”
    â€œYour imagination is working overtime,” he said, a little hotly.
    â€œReally?” Her chin lifted. “When’s the last time you kissed me as if you really meant it?”
    That stopped him cold. He thought back and came up empty. Then he tried to pull her into his arms. “We can remedy that,” he suggested.
    She stiffened again and refused to mold herself
against him. “If I have to remind you, it takes the magic out of the moment,” she said.
    â€œI’ve been preoccupied—”
    She shook her head. “Like I said, this is the wrong time. I’m pretty beat. And I have to be in court early.”
    â€œAll right.” He hesitated. “How about a long weekend soon? To talk this through?”
    â€œI don’t think so.”
    Nick kissed her cheek. “I’ll call you.”
    â€œYou don’t have to. Good night,” she said. Moments later, she disappeared inside and he heard the dead bolt slide shut.
    With his hands in his pockets, Nick slowly walked down the stairs to his car. The conversation with Madison had rattled his chain. Feelings for Abby? That was absurd. They were nothing more than friends.
    He was perfectly content with Madison and things the way they were. She was an intelligent companion and did him proud when she accompanied him to business functions. But he couldn’t remember the last time he’d really kissed her and to be honest, he hadn’t missed it.
    But Madison wanted more. She was a wonderful woman and deserved more. He’d come to a fork in the road. Or maybe it was more like facing the three doors on a game show.
    Behind door number one was a question mark. Door number two was Madison. He liked and respected her. She was beautiful, brainy and would be an asset to any man. His parents admired her. More than once his mother had hinted that procrastination was dangerous. He grinned. Hint was the wrong word. Flo Marchetti had as much tact as a charging rhino. She’d come right
out and asked him if he was waiting for divine instruction from