Man Of Few Words Read Online Free

like Stone is watching us. If you want to bug out, you can. I’ll use the standard line that a gentleman doesn’t talk about such things.”
    Duff’s words surprised her. He never used to turn down an opportunity for sex, and she’d left the option open. Talk about role reversal. She’d become the lusty one. “You can use that line, but let’s give you something to withhold.” She waited for him to answer with her hands on her hips.
    He stared at her with his mouth agape.
    “Look, Marine. When you gain tactical advantage, you don’t stand around. Where’s your car?” She wished she’d driven, then she could be the one leaving him laying in bed wondering if she’d call. Because that is what she planned to do. Her brain had clicked to the place that felt right, good, and perfect. Maybe it was Stone bringing up the past, or maybe it was the chance to enjoy herself without any guilt. Whatever it was, she was heading for a hell of a night. One romp. Nothing more. Love him. Leave him. No getting involved.
    “Right.” He shook his head as if he cleared his disbelief. “This way.” He pointed to a parking lot to the left. As her high heels clicked on the brick sidewalks, she heard him ask, “Are you serious about this?”
    “Yes. If your place isn’t clean, we can try this inn up the street.”
    He pulled her arm so she had to look at him. “Kirsten, I’m having trouble believing you.”
    She didn’t blame him. From giving him the cold shoulder to inviting herself back to his place was a huge leap. She wasn’t going to explain her thought process though, mostly because she couldn’t explain it to herself. Knowing he used to appreciate action, she reached into his pocket and grabbed his keys, leaving him no room for disbelief. “Do you still drive a sports car?”
    “Had to go for something with a real backseat. I have a—”
    She put her hand over his mouth. “Stop. I don’t want to hear it unless you are about to tell me that you have a wife, in which case, I’m not interested.”
    “No wife.”
    Relief released the coils that had formed in her legs. She’d been ready to run inside. “Good.” She pressed the keys into his chest. “Shut up and drive.”
    He took the keys, unlocked the doors, and they both got into the car. After they exited the parking lot for the road that fronted the bay, he asked, “Mind if we make a stop?”
    For the love of Pete. Doesn’t he understand expediency? “Where?”
    “Some place to buy protection.”
    “No need.” She reached into her purse and pulled out the strand of condom packs that Suzy had given her for making professor. Her roommate had used the always be prepared reason for the gift. “This should be enough.”
    “You came prepared.”
    “I’m tempted to let you think that. You happened along on the night that my best friend wants me not to act like a stuffy professor. Not that I am, but I know how to play the role.” Tonight would be a role of control—not dominatrix, but certainly not the follower. She smiled at being the person on top and calling the shots.
    “Very glad of it. One less obstacle.”
    As he slowed to pass through the toll booth to the beach, she cleared her throat. This night had to be about sex, only sex, no delving into past thoughts or emotions. Especially not emotions. “I have rules.”
    “Should I be scared?” He guided the car past the vehicles bringing people to the bars along the small boardwalk.
    “You’re tough, or you used to be. I think you can handle these. They’re simple—no talking about the past or asking too many questions about life. I want this to be a fantasy.”
    “Not thinking about what we once did will be difficult. I drive by the place where you got drunk on strawberry daiquiris every day. You undressed in the car and threatened to stand up through the sun roof unless I let you go swimming.”
    She only remembered it because he told her what had happened the next day. “We had sex on the