Read Online Filthy Rich by Dawn Ryder - Free Book Online

“I didn’t follow you out here for an apology.”
    The sun had set and the wind suddenly gusted, raising goose bumps along her bare arms. “So why did you? It isn’t like you’d find it hard to hook up with someone else.”
    She shouldn’t have asked, shouldn’t have laid herself open so completely.
    â€œBecause I liked having you against me.”
    She’d known he’d say that.
    It was like a secret hope, one that sent a jolt of enjoyment through her, but slammed into the wall her fears had built.
    â€œYou liked being against me too.”
    Hard certainty flickered in his eyes, driving that bolt of enjoyment into the wall a few more inches. She fingered the fabric of her skirt as she fought the urge to reach for him but at the same time, enthralled with the effect he had on her reservations. He was so tempting until she remembered that she wasn’t ever doing a long-term relationship again.
    â€œSabra is my best friend too, so let’s leave each other alone before things get tense.”
    His eyes narrowed. “I don’t get tense over relationships.”
    She found herself recovering her poise. “There’s my point. If I’d accused you of being the playboy type a moment ago, you’d just call me judgmental.”
    He offered her a lazy shrug. “True.”
    He reached out and captured her wrist. Before she finished deciding if she was going to let him keep hold of her, he’d stroked the delicate skin of her inner wrist with his thumb and sent a ripple of awareness across her skin that made her nipples pucker. “There’s a charge between us.”
    There sure was.
    Playing with fire…
    But it was intoxicating in a manner she’d never encountered before. She really questioned if she was tossing away a prime opportunity to get it dealt with. No strings attached, and a pistol like Nartan might be the perfect remedy for her trust issues.
    â€œWe’re not going to connect.” She twisted her wrist and dropped it on the other side of his hand to break his grip and held a finger up to keep him back while she finished her thought. “Because I would be using you to cross a line item off my to-be-dealt-with list. I don’t use people.”
    His eyes narrowed as his lips thinned.
    â€œParts of me would really enjoy being used by you…but your point is valid.” He nodded and forced himself to step back a pace. “You should get some…therapy…”
    She offered him a dry laugh. “I don’t need therapy because I’m not interested in a fling with you. It’s called maintaining the integrity of my soul.”
    â€œYou’re interested and that scares you,” he countered ruthlessly. “That’s why you need therapy. You’re being a bitch now because I called it on the money.”
    He saw too much. And she was being a bitch.
    â€œI’ve had some. Court ordered, no less.” She felt like her emotions were draining her. “It was just another way Caspian was able to ensure I did what he wanted. Just another hold stuck in the fine print of our divorce papers. So public, but such a private little stab too. No freedom until I performed one final act of obedience.”
    â€œWhat a prick.”
    There was venom in his tone. It surprised her and nurtured the little spark of trust taking root inside her. He looked sincere, but she couldn’t afford to let her budding feelings grow.
    â€œYeah, but it’s over.”
    She was shutting him out.
    Nartan watched the way Celeste tightened her features and looked away from his face. He really didn’t need to get involved. But leaving felt like quitting.
    That was something he never did.
    â€œIt won’t be over until you pull that weed out by the root,” he informed her. “That’s how that ghost maintains its grip.”
    She started to shake her head. “This isn’t your concern.”
    He