Read Online Heartbreaker by Laurie Paige - Free Book Online Page B

you.”
    â€œBut you act like my father—older and wiser and father-knows-best.” She spat out an expletive that told him what she thought of that.
    â€œWere you always a rebel against authority?” he asked, sounding perfectly good-natured.
    â€œAlways.”
    Michael decided there was only one way to handle an obstinate woman. He’d lay the truth on the line for her so she’d have no misunderstanding of what he was saying.
    â€œWe’ve kissed what, two, three, four times?” he asked.
    The question obviously startled her before she remembered to glare at him in distaste, refusing to answer.
    â€œSomething like that,” he continued in a lazy drawl. “You reacted strongly each time. Like anger, passion is hard on the heart. How are you going to react when your husband tries to make love to you?”
    She didn’t answer.
    He did it for her. “You could faint. Or have heart failure. Have you thought of that?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œPeople laugh when older men have heart attacks while making love, but believe me, it isn’t a joke. It’s damn scary for him and for his partner. How do you think your husband would react?”
    â€œSince I don’t have one, I couldn’t say.”
    â€œCome on, entertainers have active imaginations. They have to, in order to transport their audiences into their world of make-believe, don’t they?”
    â€œYou’re the great philosopher. You tell me.”
    What he really wanted to do was sweep her into his arms and take her to his bedroom and show her everything he could make her feel in his arms. It was a temptation, almost more than he could stand.
    A light sheen of moisture broke out all over him.
    â€œHaving children would be out of the question. You are correct in that.”
    â€œI might,” she contradicted. “If I rested and ate right.” She snapped her fingers. “I know. I could take an aspirin a day. Isn’t that the miracle cure nowadays?”
    â€œA fight to the finish,” he muttered, admiring her stubborn determination to live life on her terms. He said as gently as he could, “Not for you.”
    Three months. One year.
    Susan felt the words hammer in her brain. Feigning indifference, she finished the bagel and wiped her mouth. “Well, I’m off. Thanks for your hospitality.”
    â€œIt was a pleasure.”
    There was such sincerity in his reply, such warmth in his eyes, she believed him. She took her dishes to the kitchen to escape his gaze.
    He followed her. “I can give you the miracle you need. Let me put your name on the list for a donor.”
    Panic raced through her. “I’d rather be dead than never dance again,” she said as fiercely as she could to let him know she meant it.
    â€œYou have a wonderful talent. Why not share it with others by teaching?”
    â€œI don’t want to teach. I want to dance.”
    â€œGrow up,” he said, suddenly harsh. “You’ve fulfilled that dream. Go on to another one.”
    She grasped the edge of the counter and stared down at its smooth surface. “I can’t. I’d be someone different.”
    An invalid.
    The hateful word hurled itself from her subconscious into her conscious mind. She would become an invalid, always taking pills, always worrying about a cold, a tiny cut, the least infection that could kill her.
    â€œWhat kind of life would I have?” she questioned aloud.
    Laying his hands on her shoulders, he turned herto face him. “It could be normal. Humans have an amazing capacity to adapt, you more than most. You have great self-discipline. You’d establish a new life.”
    Entranced by his belief in her, she was tempted to concede, to simply give in and stop fighting him and her family and those who thought they knew best for her.
    â€œWhat’s in this for you?” she demanded, wanting to hurt him because of the pain he stirred in