ThreeReasonsWhy Read Online Free Page B

that—in this instance—he definitely had
the upper hand.
    “Dating,” she repeated, her body going a bit numb at the
idea. She was fighting a losing battle and knew it. She closed her eyes,
silently hoping that blocking out his gorgeous face would help her resist.
    For weeks, she’d dreamed of Wes’ kisses under the mistletoe.
His lips should be registered as a lethal weapon. More than a few nights, she’d
crawled from her bed into the shower, forcing herself to stand beneath the
freezing water in an attempt to cool the burning desires he’d set aflame inside
her. “I’m sorry. Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t I tell you just yesterday
that I didn’t want to date you?”
    Wes shrugged. “You gave me some lame reasons.”
    “I don’t consider them lame.”
    “I want some time to show you we’re good together.”
    She closed her eyes, overwhelmed with frustration. Talking
to Wes was like talking to a brick wall. She’d admit—only to herself—that her
first couple of reasons for wanting to avoid Wes had been mere diversions, weak
attempts at building a stronger case for the truth. She couldn’t date him. She
really couldn’t. However, pride would never allow her to speak the real reason.
    She looked at him once more. “Wes, we could date until the
cows came home. Would we have fun? Yeah, more than likely we would. Would the
sex be hot? Hell yeah. Would that change the fact that you and I are planning
two very different futures? No. I don’t see any way this could end in anything
other than heartbreak.”
    “Why are you so opposed to a committed relationship?”
    “I told you yesterday.”
    He shook his head. “No. I don’t think you did. There’s gotta
be more to it than liking your solitude. It doesn’t add up, Jill. You’re one of
the most social, most fun people in Madison.”
    “High praise,” she joked. “Madison has a population of two
hundred people and ninety percent of them are over seventy.”
    Wes laughed. “Very funny. Last count I heard, we had at
least three hundred folks in town. Come on, Jill. What gives? What’s got you so
down on relationships? Is it because of your parents’ divorce?”
    She rolled her eyes. “Oh, puh-leaze. What do want me to say?
I have daddy issues? My dad ran out on my mom and left her alone to raise two
daughters. I don’t think that wrecked my psyche. Truth is, my mother was better
off without the guy. And yes, Zack the Rat dumped my sister and ran off with
that slut to Vegas. Again, she was better off without him.”
    “So you don’t trust men?”
    She shook her head. “I’m not shallow or thick, Wes. I would
never assume all guys are like Zack and my dad. Rick is a stand-up kind of guy
and I know he’ll make my sister happy until the day she dies. But Kate’s
different from me. She craves companionship. She’s loving, giving and totally
into committed relationships. I like to fly—fancy and free.”
    “Speaking of flying free, I know you and Seth were seeing
each other for a while, but Kate said that you aren’t anymore,” Wes said. “Is
that true?”
    “That was an odd segue. What does my relationship with Seth
have to do with the price of tea in China?”
    “Just answer the question.”
    She considered lying, telling him she was still involved
with the other man. Truth was, she and Seth had never been in a real
relationship. They went out occasionally and they slaked each other’s needs.
Seth knew she wasn’t looking for more than sex. He didn’t pressure her for more
than she was willing to give in the emotions department.
    “Seth and I aren’t involved. Even when we were, he knew I
wasn’t looking for a relationship and he accepted that.”
    He ignored her pointed reference to the idea that he sucked
in the listening department. “So you aren’t still sleeping with each other?”
    Her temper spiked. “And why the hell would that be any of
your business?
    “Because I don’t share.”
    She sucked in a breath,