Second Chances Read Online Free Page B

apart during their teens. They had stopped paying attention to each other then. Arthur was the popular guy, captain of his sports team, dating cheerleaders one after another, and Maya walked the opposite path: science club, charities, et cetera. He tried to remember if she had ever brought a boyfriend home. Probably not; his father would have had a stroke. His reaction now would be something else altogether.
    “I’ll do it, but I have conditions.”
    He reported his attention to the floor.
    “I’m listening.”
    Maya finally consented to lever herself to the sofa.
    “First, we are not going public until I’m sure Matthew’s operation is paid for.”
    “You will sign a receipt for the check and hand me over guardianship.”
    She frowned.
    “What do you mean guardianship?”
    “No decision is to be taken about the treatment without my approval.”
    “But…”
    Arthur dismissed her demur.
    “P&A is underwriting the loan, so I want to make sure the money is well spent.”
    Maya gritted her teeth. He was regarding the child as an investment, just like his father would.
    “Fine.”
    The smirk on his face was insufferable.
    “Anything else?”
    The mocking tone annoyed her, and Maya stood to face him. She was not a petite woman, but he towered over her by a couple of inches. She refused to let the difference in height impress her, and glared.
    “How long is this…pretence supposed to last?”
    “As long as is necessary. I want my father off my back.”
    The reply astonished her. She had yet to question his motivations. Arthur’s mention of his father hinted there was more to his plot than just scaring some girl away. Maya asked: “What? Why?”
    He seemed to relax for a second when he sighed, his shoulders moving down a little; then he stiffened again.
    “Arranged marriage is not in my upcoming plans.”
    She grinned and a small laugh escaped her.
    “You have to admit, Arthur, your father trying to marry you off is funny.”
    “I fail to see how this is amusing.”
    The flat tone sobered her at once.
    “Obviously.”
    Maya stepped back, arms crossed over her chest.
    “Kissing stays chaste. No unnecessary flirting or touching.”
    The young man sneered.
    “Should I return the compliment?”
    She pulled a face to him.
    “You think you’re that irresistible? Let me tell y…”
    The unexpected kiss created a throb inside her, her heart suddenly beating faster. Her hands came up to rest on his chest. Maybe Arthur saw an invitation in the gesture, for the pressure on her mouth became more insistent and her skin warmed instantly. She used her hold on him as leverage to shove him off.
    “What do you think you’re doing?”
    The pang of desire that shot through him when he touched her mouth threw Arthur off balance. He didn’t understand why her lips were moving on their own accord instead of parting under his for a deeper kiss. “What do you think you’re doing?”
    Suddenly, he realized she had pushed him away. Women didn’t do that, not to him. Maya could not be different…She too must have felt the heat building between them...
    Very annoyed with his own reaction, Arthur stood his ground when all he wanted was to lean forward again.
    He smirked. “I needed to make sure you’re up for the role, of course.”
    Her face remained expressionless. Only the sharp intake of air and a brief gleam in her eyes told him he had hit a nerve. Her stare fixed on him was as cold as ice. Arthur’s mocking smile grew into a downright leer.
    The staring contest lasted for another moment before she spoke again.
    “You will treat me with respect and politeness, like a real person, and not like some disposable doll. And this applies to every situation, public AND private.”
    Arthur frowned. “I treat women decently.”
    “You’ll have to prove that.”
    “Are you done?”
    Her suitor went on before she could even nod.
    “Our arrangement must stay a secret. I suppose you told Tristan; Colin knows about it too, and