Just Between Friends (O'Rourke Family 4) Read Online Free Page B

like the last time.”
    “Like hell. Husbands don’t charge their wives for work they do.”
    Much as Kate enjoyed the oblique reference to being Dylan’s wife, she didn’t think it was right for him to work on the converted carriage house without getting paid.
    “That isn’t fair,” she objected.
    “Tough,” he said, still sounding offended. “You won’t change my mind on this, Katydid. As a matter of fact, you’ll have to get used to not getting your way on everything. I’m not spending the next year saying ‘yes’ to you.”
    He set his jaw, looking so endearingly macho and stubborn that a quiver went through her stomach. There’d always been a core of strength and certainty in Dylan that fascinated her. He was like a giant boulder in the middle of a river that water had no choice but toflow around. No matter what he might say, she’d never been able to talk him into anything that he didn’t actually want to do.
    “Do you understand, Katydid?” he said insistently.
    Her chin rose. “I understand. I’m not as spoiled as you think, and that’s something you’ll have to get used to.”
    The level note in Kate’s voice made Dylan’s eyes narrow. He had the uncomfortable feeling he’d missed something significant, but he didn’t know what. Hell, women were a complete mystery. If he didn’t comprehend his own sisters, what made him think a woman like Katrina Douglas would be any easier? She lived in an ivory tower, and he lived in the real world.
    “I just…all right,” he said finally. “When do you want to…uh…?”
    “Get married?”
    The easy way she said “married” made him wince. At least it was only for a year, and he wouldn’t have to feel responsible for her getting hooked up with the wrong man. Anyway, taking care of Kate was such a habit he wasn’t sure how to stop.
    “Yeah, married,” Dylan muttered.
    “It needs to be before my birthday, that’s all.”
    “Okay, the sooner we do it, the sooner it’ll be over with. We don’t have to do one of those big society weddings do we?” he asked. “Your grandmother didn’t make that a requirement, did she?”
    “No, just that I get married and live with my husband on the Douglas estate.”
    “I’m surprised she put something so specific in the will.”
    “I’m not,” Kate said glumly. “Grandmamma mighthave been old, but she had a mind like a steel trap. She was probably suspicious that I’d try to get around the conditions of my inheritance.”
    Dylan’s breath caught in his throat as Kate stretched slowly, arching her back like a silky little cat. She took her time, reaching her hands toward the ceiling, her body twisting sensuously. It was totally innocent, and totally devastating to his already shaky peace of mind.
    When she lowered her arms again she smiled lazily. “Sorry. I haven’t been sleeping well with so much to think about. It’ll be better tonight now that we’re getting things settled.”
    Great.
    She was going to sleep like a baby, and he was going home to a cold shower.
    Gritting his teeth, Dylan ordered his body to stop behaving like a teenager with his first case of lust. This was Katydid, for heaven’s sake, he didn’t have any business getting stirred up over her. She’d asked for his help because she trusted him. Besides, it was temporary insanity. He’d get over it and then everything would be the same between them.
    Ignoring the voice inside his brain that was laughing sarcastically, he leaned forward.
    “How do you want to handle the ceremony?”
    Kate drew a circle on the table with the tip of her finger. “How about going over to Victoria? Your brother’s wedding there was beautiful.”
    A frown creased Dylan’s forehead. Victoria, British Columbia, was popular with courting couples, and the O’Rourke women had raved endlessly over what a romantic setting it had been for Kane and Beth’s wedding.But it didn’t seem right for him to marry Katydid in a place intended for lovers,