Luring Lucy Read Online Free Page B

“Maybe he would surprise me.”
    His smile hurt, but Bram managed it. “I don’t think so.” He tilted his head. “Where’d you find him anyway?”
    â€œNot that it’s any of your business, but I met him in town when I stopped to pick up some groceries. He agreed to . . . work on the lawn.”
    â€œOh, he’d have worked all right. But it wasn’t the lawn he had on his mind and you know it.”
    â€œIs that so?” She looked pleased with the idea, making Bram almost smile again.
    â€œAny red-blooded male with good-enough vision to see is going to want you, Lucy. You’re a hottie.”
    She scowled at him. “That’s a weak line for a man with your reputation, Bram.”
    â€œAlways go with the truth, I say.” Deliberately he looked her over from her head to her curled toes; then whistled low. “I can’t believe you’re unaware of the way you turn heads.”
Mine especially
, he wanted to add but didn’t.
    â€œI’m not the least surprised, though,” Bram told her, seeing that she was hungry for the compliments she should have been getting all along, “that the first guy you smiled at jumped at the chance to try his luck. Hell, at that age males are more testosterone than anything else and a sexy woman is an impossible temptation.”
    Lucy looked both complimented and annoyed.
    â€œBut he doesn’t know you the way I do, Lucy,” Bram told her, dropping his tone and watching her closely. “He doesn’t know what you’ve been through and what you’re after, what you deserve. He’d grope you real quick, have your shorts off in a flash, and two minutes later he’d be walking away, anxious to go brag to his buddies about the eager woman on the hill.”
    â€œShut up, Bram.”
    â€œIs that what you want? A reputation with all the guys who’re looking for a good time but no commitment?”
    Her face was closed, but she shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I’m selling the place anyway.”
    That surprised Bram and made him wonder if her decision was financial or emotional. Either way, he didn’t like it. “Reputations have a strange way of following a person.”
    She crossed her arms. “I notice a reputation hasn’t done you any harm.”
    â€œNo? Then why are you arguing with me so much now? Why don’t we just get our clothes off and I can start helping you enjoy the week?”
    Her gaze inadvertently skimmed his body, catching on his groin before she forced her attention back to his face. Her cheeks warmed with color; her eyes darkened.
She wasn’t embarrassed.
    â€œI have no idea,” she said a little breathlessly, “what’s gotten into you, Bram. Are you trying to shock me?”
    â€œI’m trying to be honest.” Bram narrowed his eyes, all humor evaporated. “If you want to get laid, babe, fine. Come and get it. But it’ll be with me and only with me.”
    She licked her lips and her eyes searched his. “I’m too old to play games, Bram.”
    â€œI can teach you new games.” He stared at her mouth, fascinated with the way she kept chewing her bottom lip, which told him she was nervous. “They’re best played in the buff.”
    Her chin lifted. “I’m also too smart to think you need to chase after me just to have sex, not when you have a string of women at home sitting by the phone. What are you really up to?”
    She didn’t believe him? Bram shrugged, catching and holding her gaze. “I don’t want any other woman. I want you. Naked. Under me or over me, or whatever way you’d like. But I want inside you real bad and I want you to be holding me tight and I damn well want to hear you come.”
    Her composure wavered, her mouth opening in a small
o
for just a second. Then she regathered her wits. One of the sexiest things about Lucy was her