Read Online Take Me Now by Faith Sullivan - Free Book Online Page A

secluded spot just a few feet away from where he sleeps.
    “Yeah, I thought it was appropriate considering the occasion.” I can’t help but smile back at him. I’ve never felt uneasy around him before, but now it feels different being near him, like there’s more going on than what’s being said.
    “I thought I’d have you come up to the house so you can see some of my best work.” I’m not sure if he can tell I was blatantly checking him out just a second ago but he doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, I think he did it for my benefit and now I don’t know what to think. If he’s been secretly dating Lauren for a while, then why is he making a play for my attention? It’s kind of disheartening, actually. He duped me into believing he was a better guy than that.
    “So you still want the focus of the article to be on your business even though you’re inviting me into your inner sanctum?” I purposely keep a hint of a tease in my voice even though I’m ultimately confused by his motives.
    “I was thinking about it and I’m willing to offer you a compromise.” I’m all ears as we peer into the pond, gazing at the brightly colored koi fish darting around beneath the surface. “I’m ready to answer any questions you may have for me, even those of a more personal nature. The only stipulation I have is that you let me read a draft of your story before you submit it to Lauren. If I feel comfortable enough with what you’ve written, I’ll give you the go ahead to proceed. If I change my mind, you agree to scrap it and write one dealing solely with the garden center.”
    “Wow, that’s really generous of you, Eric.” My mind is racing through all of the possible scenarios as to why he decided to open up to me while keeping Lauren in the dark. Does she already know everything he’s about to tell me? She is his girlfriend after all. I’m sure she’s familiar with all of the details. She hasn’t gone public with anything he might have told her, so why doesn’t he trust her with reading the first draft? Something else is going on here and I’m going to find out what it is. I am a reporter after all, and this scoop has the potential to change my life.
    “Yeah, I thought it was about time I got certain things off my chest.” His biceps are straining against the fabric of his shirt but I can’t bring myself to look at how it accentuates his lean torso. My flaming cheeks are sure to give me away. But he must have purchased the shirt a while ago because it’s a style more suited for a man with a slimmer frame, not one with his muscular build. And I can’t help comparing him alongside Will. Eric is a man’s man. He exudes masculinity from every pore. Yet his eyes are soft when he looks at me, like he wants to envelop me in their depths. Where Will is so stylized, he’s almost too perfect. His whole appearance is designed to be flawless, like he’s ready for a high definition close-up at any moment. Will can be so intimidating in his demeanor—he draws you in while keeping you out.
    “So where would you like to start?” I get the ball rolling as Eric offers me a seat on one of the matching rocking chairs adorning the front porch. On the accompanying table is a pitcher of lemonade and he pours me a glass as he contemplates my question.
    “I’m still ambivalent about the whole personal angle but if I’m going to go there, let’s go all the way. Why don’t you ask me things that a dating web site would be interested in?” He takes a sip of lemonade and reclines back in his chair, trying to gauge my reaction to such a complete turnaround. If he’s putting feelers out to try to find Ms. Right, then why’s he with Lauren?
    “Okay.” I rub my forehead to assuage the beginnings of what is sure to be a killer headache. “Let’s start at the beginning. Are you comfortable with my use of a recorder?”
    “As long as you’ll be the only one listening to it, yes.” That sounds so much sexier than I’m