Because I Love You Read Online Free Page A

audibly sighed. It didn’t take a second for her mind to find its way back to Tristan. She’d had such a wonderful time. The man was sex appeal personified, but more than that, he was so damned nice. He’d been a perfect gentleman—kind, gentle, considerate. It didn’t get much better in bed.
    It was yet another reason she had to be careful around Tris. He could make her forget all the promises she’d made toherself to stay out of relationships. His humor, his gentle touch, his presence. Yup. No doubt about it. He could make her forget it all.
    But no matter what kind of little fantasy Leah was falling into, Tristan was not interested in a relationship. And why would he be? He was assuming a partnership position in one of the fastest-growing firms in the tech industry, investing millions of his own money. He was going to be plenty busy, and while he may want companionship, and friendship, a real relationship wasn’t on his radar any more than it was on hers.
    She heard her family as soon as she entered the restaurant. The sound was pure joy. Talk, laughter, good-natured teasing. Her father’s booming Scots brogue carried through the room like a rumble of thunder. As always, he was engaged in a battle of wills with their Irish housekeeper, Sally. She expected, as usual, Sally would win because that’s just the way things worked in her family.
    Her older brother, Nate, and his new wife, Jenna, were at the far side of the table, watching Da and Sally spar. He and his bride had that particular posture assumed by newlyweds; Nate’s arm was draped protectively over the back of Jenna’s chair and she was turned into him. They’d whisper to each other, smile—he’d kiss the top of her head. Truthfully, she’d never seen her brother happier or more content. Leah’s natural skepticism still didn’t let her believe Nate and Jenna were truly a match made in heaven. But Jenna had won over everyone, and there was a baby on the way, so Leah was doing her best to be pleasant in spite of her misgivings.
    When the family first found out about Nate and Jenna’s quickie marriage, there was a lot of concern. Leah, however, was the one who went on the attack, and as a result Jenna and Nate had the first major crisis of their marriage three days in. It all worked out, and they came out of it stronger. Leah wasn’t proud of the strife she’d caused, but she had to be sure her very sweet brother hadn’t been caught in some fortune hunter’s trap.
    Leah knew how it felt to be used, and she didn’t want it to happen to anyone she loved.
    God, she hated being this way. Hated wondering about every new person in her life. It was isolating. Lonely. Which was why she enjoyed her growing friendship with Tris. He didn’t need anything from her.
    â€œThere she is!” Her sister, Amy, spotted her coming toward the table, and all eyes were on her.
    Amy had been the only one who hadn’t taken her to task over the mess she’d caused between Nate and Jenna last July, probably because Amy didn’t like Jenna’s marriage to Nate any more than Leah did. But she hadn’t blasted her disapproval all over the Hamptons. That was Amy—discreet to a fault. She was the only one who knew why Leah had turned into herself, why she’d gotten so hard and cold.
    â€œFinally rolled out of bed, did you?” her father teased. He was a big man, and as he rose from his seat to greet her, his size was more apparent, towering over the people nearby. When he wrapped her in his arms, she felt the same warmth and safety she had when she was a little girl. Then, there was nothing her Da couldn’t fix.
    Leah wished that was still true.
    â€œYou’re late,” he said, drawing attention to the obvious. “Is everything all right?”
    â€œYes. I just overslept, and the traffic out of the city was horrible. I should have taken the train like I did