Read Online Pirate's Gold by Lisa Jackson - Free Book Online

I hardly knew you, and now I want to fall into your arms without so much as a thought to the future. I can’t do that, Kyle. Not yet. Now that we may become business partners…or maybe not…I don’t think it would be wise to become…involved.”
    â€œI’m not asking for a lifelong commitment.”
    â€œAnd I’m not ready for a relationship.”
    â€œIs that what you think I want?” The question, like a silver blade, cut through the silent emotions stretching between them.
    She shook her head. “I don’t know what you want, Kyle, but I know that neither one of us would be satisfied with a one-night stand.” She watched him cautiously, her head tilted upward to meet his impassioned gaze. Without a word she dared him to deny the truth.
    A lazy smile stole over his rugged features. “How do you know so much about me?” he asked, as he gently pushed an errant copper lock out of her eyes.
    â€œI don’t. Not yet. But I hope to God that any man I’m attracted to isn’t interested in one lonely night of passion just to fulfill basic sexual needs.”
    His dark brows raised. “You really lay it on the line, don’t you?”
    â€œIt comes with the territory,” she sighed, trying to calm her racing pulse. Why did she feel compelled to explain herself to him? Why did she care? “I’ve worked hard to get where I am, and it hasn’t been easy in a predominantly man’s world. If I had become sexually involved with any of the men I’ve worked with, I’m sure the business would have suffered. And to me, it’s just not worth the price.” She could see his eyes narrowing in disbelief.
    â€œAre you trying to convince me that you’re a hardnosed business woman who puts her company before everything, including her own pleasure?” he asked dubiously.
    â€œConsidering the circumstances, I think you should be pleased.”
    â€œWhat I am is unconvinced.” Just what kind of a woman was he dealing with?
    The hint of a smile teased her lips. “Good. Because I’m trying to point out that to me, sex is more than just pleasure.”
    â€œA commitment?”
    â€œYes.”
    He paused and the silence in the car weighed heavily on Maren’s shoulders. How much of her soul could she afford to bare? “Is that what you expect from me— a commitment? ”
    Maren grinned at his obvious discomfort. “No. What I’m trying to tell you is that I’m not ready to give one,” she explained.
    Kyle let out a gust of air and ran his fingers through his hair. He chuckled despite the uneasy feeling in the atmosphere. “I’m afraid that meeting you might turn out to be the biggest mistake of my life.”
    â€œAnd why is that?” Her heart seemed to miss a beat. She knew that he was joking, but there was an undercurrent of truth beneath his words.
    â€œBecause not only are you going to cost me a fortune in videotape production, but you’re also going to frustrate the hell out of me!”
    â€œYou’re breaking my heart,” she teased with a wicked gleam lighting her eyes.
    â€œIf only I could,” he muttered, almost to himself.
    The smile on her face faded. “Then why don’t you try being honest with me— completely honest.”
    â€œI have been.”
    She pursed her lips and shook her head, dismissing his statement as a careless lie. “I don’t think so. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that something’s up—something big.
    â€œSuch as?”
    â€œI wish I knew, Kyle,” she replied, a sad smile resurfacing. “I’ve been in this business for nearly five years and I can sense when someone’s not leveling with me.”
    â€œI don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    â€œThen let me take a guess…”
    â€œAll right.”
    â€œDoes this have anything to do with the