DearAnnie Read Online Free

was the
oldest. If I hadn’t protected them, there’s no telling what he might have
done.”
    “He was abusive?”
    She didn’t answer. It wasn’t something she normally—or
ever—spoke about.
    “And you’re still taking care of them. Says a lot about the
kind of person you are.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.
    She was growing way too attached to him. Lord, she could
fall for the man and that was the worst thing in the world. “Alan, I really
appreciate all you did for me this weekend. But…well, I think we should cool
it. Nothing against you, but like I told you, I’m not into relationships.”
    “I gather that. And if you telling me wasn’t proof enough,
I’ve sampled your columns. They paint quite a picture or a woman who’s
terrified of actual feelings.”
    “You’ve read my columns?” She glanced across the seat at him
but saw no malice in his expression. “I’m sorry, Alan. That’s just how I roll.”
    He set a hand on her thigh and erotic energy zinged her just
like the very first time they’d touched almost a week before. “I’m asking you
to give me a chance.”
    Her chest tightened. She’d never felt so comfortable with a
man, nor had she ever had such amazing sex. Each time was exponentially better
than the last. God, she wanted to keep him around, to open her heart to him,
but something inside her lodged a protest. “I’m sorry, I can’t.” She folded her
arms.
    “I understand how you’d be gun shy after growing up
witnessing abuse, but, baby, I’m all about elevating you on the highest
pedestal, giving you the best I have to offer.” His voice broke. “I’d never
hurt you. All I’m asking for more time.”
    He pulled off the road, shut off the engine then faced her.
“I’ve seen you give and give and give to your family. It’s high time you snag a
little happiness for yourself. Take a chance on me, Suz. Please.”
    She wiped away tears. “We’re all screwed up. Diana’s like
me. She won’t let a guy close. She stays so focused on her advertising career
that there’s no room left for a man. Laura’s so painfully shy, I’m afraid
she’ll never so much as get a date. And Wendy’s still in high school, but she’s
so desperate for male attention that she falls head over heels for any boy who
pays her any attention at all.”
    He laid a hand on her thigh. “I can’t begin to know what
advice to give your sisters, but I want you to open yourself to having me
around for a while, as long as you’ll let me. I come with a
double-your-money-back guarantee.”
    His smile loosened a few of the tight knots inside her. She
sucked in a breath for courage. “I’ll try. A week at a time, no more. I’ll
reevaluate every Sunday. No promises.”
    “No promises.”

Epilogue
    Three months later
     
    Alan slipped into bed beside Suzanne and burrowed under the
covers until he was between her legs. He loved waking her like this on the
weekends. Every Sunday for months he’d dreaded that she’d tell him goodbye, but
two weeks had passed without her making any mention of her reevaluation, as she
called it.
    She purred her approval as he pushed her thighs apart,
careful to never break contact. Her skin was like satin and he couldn’t get
enough.
    He cupped her mound, pressed the spot that always got her
going. Then he started rubbing flesh over bone. She lifted her hips in rhythm
with him and he knew he had her.
    She threw back the covers. “You are a naughty, naughty man.”
Her voice was deep and raspy with disuse and it drove him crazy with lust.
    “Thank you.” He slid a finger along her damp furls and she
rewarded him with a throaty moan. He couldn’t wait to taste her. He’d just
touched the tip of his tongue to her clit when she backed away.
    “Why don’t I take a shower first? Get all freshened up.” She
tried to close her legs but he held fast.
    “No way. I want you like this, tasting like a woman.”
    He felt the shudder that ran through her. He