Read Online All About Charming Alice by J. Arlene Culiner - Free Book Online

but Jace couldn’t help noticing the pallor of her face, the circles under her eyes. Had she had as much trouble sleeping as he? He hoped so. Now she stared at him defiantly, as if forbidding him to approach.
Too late for that, my lady,
he thought.
You showed your true feelings last night
.
    Crossing the room, he held out one of the cups of coffee and saw her hesitate. Clearly, she was determined to refuse anything he had to offer. But he simply wasn’t going to allow her to rebuff him. Not anymore. They were going to play this out like equals.
    “I’m working.” Her voice was no-nonsense cold. Still, she took the coffee he handed her, cupped it in her hands.
    “Yes. I see that.”
Not brilliant, Jace. You can do better.
    “Your breakfast is waiting on the table.”
    Trying to dismiss him again. She had a real knack for making him feel foolish too. “I saw that too. Great muffins. Also, the kitchen’s where I got this coffee, you know.”
    She had the grace to look embarrassed. “Yes. Thank you for bringing me a cup.”
    Jace took a deep breath. “So why are you hiding from me again, Alice?”
    Wordlessly, she stared at him.
    “Okay. Don’t even bother answering. I already know why. You’re hiding because of what happened last night. Right?”
    She was fighting not to show any reaction, but he saw the quick nervous flicker in those strange golden eyes of hers.
    “But that’s not all, is it?” he continued mercilessly. He paused. Her face had gone even paler. Still, he couldn’t stop. She had to know he wouldn’t let her call
all
the shots. “You liked what we shared and you want me. Just like I want you.” He saw her wince as color rushed into her cheeks. “And you hate yourself because of it. I make you feel something and that’s exactly what you want to avoid. Feeling. Opening the door to emotions.”
    Lowering her eyes, she carefully put her cup down on the desk; he couldn’t miss the faint trembling of her fingers.
    “Stop prying,” she said, finally. “Stay out of my life.”
    He heard the chipped ice in her voice, felt its chill reach his bones. Decided to be tough. Not to listen to the message. “No way.”
    “You have no right to intrude.” The words were clipped, hard.
    Looking at things from her point of view, that was certainly true. He had no rights. This was her life and she could live it the way she wanted. He was the intruder. So why didn’t he just let go? Listen to his inner voice that told him to leave the lady in peace. That there was obviously something going on here, something too complicated to untangle. That he was just here for room and board. That soon he’d be home in Chicago, away from all of this. So why persist? Why run after a woman with an intimacy issue? Why even think of charming her?
    But he also saw the way she was really looking at him. With anger, yes. And passion. She was no chilly woman, and she couldn’t keep up her show of indifference. To hell with the wishy-washy inner voice that counseled prudence.
    He put down his cup, just as deliberately as she had. Walked around to her side of the desk until he was standing right beside her, towering over her. Power position.
    She looked up at him. Not with fear. Not that. She was a tough woman, he knew. Anyone could sense her strength vibrating in the air around her. Then, unable to resist the call of her fine, stubborn lips, he bent down, lowered his mouth to hers.
    She wanted to fight him. Or she thought she did. He saw her hands rise with the intention of pushing him away. But they stopped in midair, fingers fluttering in a helpless gesture of submission. And want.
    If he’d ever experienced a kiss that affected him like this, he couldn’t remember it. His senses spun, reeled. And her lips opened under his, met his demand. Sliding his hands down over her back, he again felt her body arching up toward him in mutual riotous desire.
    This time he was the one who pulled back despite the senses running amok. Her