Read Online Hardwired For Ecstasy by Ravenna Tate - Free Book Online Page A

Weathermen who weren’t
engaged or married were still out there, partying every night and dating as
many women as you could.”
    He
narrowed his eyes slightly, and heat rose to her face. She glanced back toward
her computer screen, mentally kicking herself in the ass. Could she have been
any more obvious? For someone who had spent seven years tracking down
criminals, her skills at staying inconspicuous were sorely lacking.
    “I’m
a bit gun shy myself these days.”
    “What
do you mean by that?” Emma clicked around unnecessarily so she could pretend to
have something to pay attention to on the monitor.
    “I
mean I can only assume you are, after your experience with Leland. I was
letting you know I am, too.”
    She
snapped her gaze to his face, remembering what he’d said that first day about
having trust destroyed.
    “When people we believe care about
us lie, it destroys our trust in everyone.”
    “Want
to talk about it?” she asked.
    A
slow, sexy grin spread over his face, and she had to bite back a moan. This had
been the most challenging two weeks of her life. She’d had erotic dreams about
this man every night, and each time she sat this close to him, she found her
gaze drifting toward those full lips. She wanted to kiss them, and then rub her
nipples across his five o’clock shadow in the worst way.
    “I
will, but only if you have dinner with me.”
    “Ah,
good to know you’re not opposed to blackmail.”
    He
laughed, and the sound sent shivers down her spine. “It’s not blackmail. You
can refuse, again , and nothing will
happen to you.”
    “But
you won’t stop pursuing me, will you?” Her heart raced. It was the boldest
thing she’d ever asked anyone, but it had simply slipped out before she’d had
time to think about it.
    He
pushed a lock of hair off her face, and his touch was like a tiny jolt of
electricity, coursing through her body. Her pussy was soaked in seconds. “No, I
won’t.” That voice, soft but determined, had her swallowing hard against a
sudden lump in her throat.
    Would
it hurt to have dinner with him? No .
In fact, it would be heavenly. Of that she had no doubt. She couldn’t keep this
up any longer. She wasn’t strong enough. Fuck it. She wanted this man. She
wanted him badly.
    “All
right.”
    He
looked surprised. “Excuse me?”
    She
laughed softly. “I said all right. I’ll have dinner with you.”
    ****
    Atticus
was more nervous about this date than any he’d had since high school. He’d
never had to pursue a woman as much as he’d done with Emma, and that was part
of the reason why. What if she wasn’t interested in seeing him, even after this
evening?
    The
simple truth was that he’d never expected her to go out with him in the first
place. Forcing out the story of her and Leland’s relationship hadn’t been fun
for either of them, and he wasn’t entirely sure she’d forgiven him for being
such an ass. Until she’d agreed to have dinner with him.
    He
texted his cook with a list of items to find for that evening, then left the
office early after making sure Emma didn’t want him to walk over and escort her
to his apartment.
    “Don’t
be silly,” she’d said. “I know the way there, remember?”
    He
didn’t tell her how that night still stood out in his consciousness as the
night he’d been so tempted to seduce her that he hadn’t slept at all after she
left. Maybe he’d tell her later? Maybe not. He’d have to see how the evening
went first.
    Atticus
also loved how she’d tried to find out if he was dating anyone right now. He
wasn’t, and he’d need to tell her that for certain, because he didn’t believe
Emma was the kind of woman who could deal with being a casual fling. Not after
what she’d gone through with Leland.
    And
he wanted no part of that any longer, either. Not after what he’d gone through
recently. He’d tell her about that, too. Why not, after all? She’d bared her
soul to him already. It was the least he could do in