Engaging the Bachelor (Pulse) Read Online Free

bombarded her, and she made a noise to cover the moan rising in her throat as his hand closed over the key.
    His gaze slid over hers, his eyes glistening invitingly. He slipped the key into the lock and freed them. “Maybe I’ll hang on to these.” Handcuffs dangling from his finger, he bent forward, and put his mouth near her ear, the warmth of his breath on her face eliciting a shiver. “I might want to use them later.”
    She snatched them back and jumped up. “Maybe I’ll use them on you.” Having taken care of herself for as long as she could remember, she was an independent woman, one who always called the shots. This take-charge attitude of his flustered the hell out of her and teased the hungry ache between her legs.
    He followed her up, straightening to his full height. A wicked grin tweaked the corners of his mouth. “If that’s the way you want to play it, I’m game.”
    “That’s not what I meant.” She shook her head. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
    “Done what?”
    “Bid on me. I’m not interested in rekindling anything with you.”
    “What makes you think this was all about you? I’m just trying to help out with your cause.” He pushed one hand into his pocket, looking for all the world like he was nothing more than a generous benefactor. But she knew better. Mr. Innocent, he was not. “You weren’t auctioning any women, and I wasn’t about to bid on some dude.”
    “Why not? It’s for a good cause.”
    “Yeah, but I like a date who can hold her own, one who is a little rough and tough.”
    “You’re saying these guys aren’t rough and tough?”
    He gave her a lopsided grin, and a laugh escaped her before she could stop it. “Not like you, they’re not.” His warm hand caressed her waist. “But don’t worry, there’s a cure for that.”
    She eyed him, refusing to let him know his touch turned her to putty. “Oh, yeah? And what might that remedy be? You?”
    His fingers splayed, and a flash of heat moved through her. Instead of answering, he asked, “Ready?”
    She pushed on his shoulder to send him away, but he didn’t budge. Cripes, she’d have a better chance of moving an eighteen-wheeler with her finger than him. Rock solid and full of rigid determination, he stood there waiting like he had all the time in the world.
    “Sorry, Sailor Boy, but I’m afraid we’ll have to postpone.” She tapped the podium. “I still have work to do so you might want to go home and get a good night’s sleep. You look like you could use it.”
    Instead of backing off, he stepped closer, the blue in his eyes darkening and derailing her ability to think with clarity. “I’ve waited ten years, Gemma. Tired or not, a few more hours aren’t going to hurt.”
    Shit, she wished he wouldn’t stand so close. It was messing with her last working brain cell. “When I get done here, I have to take Gracie for a walk.”
    He arched a brow. “Gracie?”
    “My guard dog,” she explained, and twirled the handcuffs around her fingers.
    “I like dogs.”
    “She doesn’t like men. If you get within five feet of her, she’ll probably bite.”
    “With a name like Gracie, she doesn’t sound like she’d hurt a fly.”
    “I never said she had anything against flies,” she replied, her voice light, teasing.
    What the hell am I doing?
    She was a known flirt, but the last guy she should be playing games with was Carson.
    He laughed, amusement lingering in his eyes when he said, “I’ll take my chances.”
    She gave a casual shrug, enjoying the easy banter between them more than she would have liked. “Fine then, don’t blame me if she takes your leg off.”
    “Leg or no legs, you’re having dinner with me.”
    “I don’t remember you being so bossy.”
    He arched a brow, the look in his eyes challenging. “Oh, so now you remember something about me, do you?”
    “No…yes…I mean…” Shit. Of course she remembered. Ten long years had passed, and she still couldn’t forget his