Read Online Daring to Love: A Contemporary Romance (The Armstrongs Book 3) by Jessica Gray - Free Book Online

we’re done. I’m in this for the long haul and want to stay with you forever. That’s the way you deserve to be loved, and that’s the only way I want it.”
    He turned me down again! She wasn’t sure if she was sad or happy. Did he mean it? Was he in for the long run? Or was it just an excuse?
    Back at her apartment, Darcy was already waiting for her on the couch with hot tea, a running nose and a million handkerchiefs. "How did it go? I was worried, it’s so late already."
    Charlene threw herself on the big sofa in the living room and sighed.
    Darcy asked with a worried tone, "That bad? Was Dustin his horrible self? I’m sorry I couldn’t share your misery. But look at me, I’m wailing in my own misery.“
    Charlene couldn’t help but laugh as she realized how absurd today had started. "No, Dustin wasn't there. Evan Armstrong was waiting for me." She paused for effect.
    Darcy's eyes opened wide. “Again?”
    Charlene answered, "Yes."
    Darcy was out of her mind. She was barely able to talk because of her sore throat, but that didn’t stop her from whispering "Why? What did he want?”
    “He wanted to apologize.”
    “Did you sleep with him?"
    She raised her head in indignation. "Of course not!" But I wanted to.
    Darcy wasn’t content with her answer. “So what took you so long then?“
    When Charlene didn’t start talking Darcy begged her, „Come on. Tell a bed-bound girl some dirty details about a scorching hot sex symbol. It might just help my recovery.”
    Charlene had to laugh, but she ended up telling her roommate the whole story. About the panic attack and how Evan had held her while she calmed down. She ended the story with his his refusal to come to her places. „See, he doesn’t want me.“
    When she was finished speaking, Darcy looked at her and her eyes got even bigger. "Seriously? Girl, you are so clueless about me. I mean, utterly and completely clueless. If he didn't sleep with you, that means he's serious."
    "How do you figure that?"
    Darcy rolled her eyes, “Look, the average single male needs sex. It doesn’t have to be with someone he loves, or even likes. For most men, sex doesn’t have to include feelings.
    When a man finally finds the woman he wants to marry and bear his children, his entire mind set changes. He doesn’t want her just for sex, he wants her to walk beside him. A man that is offered sex, and doesn’t take it because he wants you to get to know him, is thinking about the future. Like, fifty years into the future.”
    Charlene hadn’t thought about it that way, but then Darcy was probably right. Given her track record in relationships, she was clueless about men. Butterflies swarmed in her stomach. Does he actually love me?
    “Thanks Darcy. Can I get you anything before I head to bed?”
    Darcy shook her head, and Charlene air hugged her, “No offense, but I really don’t want whatever bug you’ve got.”
    “I don’t blame you. Now, go get your beauty sleep.”
    ***
    Evan’s body ached with need. He’d just refused her offer to come home with her, when the one thing he’d wanted to do since this morning was to rip off her clothes and have his way with her. He started to doubt his mental sanity. He’d never refused the offer to sleep with a beautiful woman. Ever. What the hell was wrong with him?
     
    One the way to his hotel, he passed Snow Daze and saw a few other skiers heading inside. He could use a beer .. or four.
    On his second beer, Tanner showed up and started asking all sorts of questions about Charlene. But Evan wasn’t in the mood to talk about her. Heck he had no idea what was going on with him. “None of your business.”
    Tanner gave him a speculative look, not letting Evan’s unfriendly reply bother him. He and Evan were good enough friends that he simply changed the topic. But it was too late, Hannes had overheard them and jumped right into the conversation with a dirty comment about Charlene and her incredible assets – meaning her