Read Online That Dating Thing by Mackenzie Crowne - Free Book Online

agree to his irresistible proposal, despite knowing she would most likely pay a price in the end.
    “And you are beautiful.”
    Warmth flooded her body at his softly spoken compliment. The man would charm her out of her panties before she had the chance to blink. Well, she’d be losing them eventually, but they’d be establishing some boundaries before her underwear went anywhere.
    “For a time?” she asked.
    “Until one or both of us decides the time has come to walk away.”
    “And until that happens, we’re exclusive.” She frowned. “When I decide to sleep with a man, I don’t like to share.” Since she had slept with no man but Marcus, and being a cheater wasn’t one of his faults, she’d never given the need to demand exclusivity a thought. It bothered her that she did now.
    White teeth flashed when he grinned. His gaze roamed her body before he answered. “Believe me, Rylee, another woman is not going to be a problem.”
    Maybe not for him, but the man was a walking, talking, sexual fantasy. For reasons he didn’t understand, and with any luck never would, their association would be short-lived. She did not intend to spend a good portion of their limited time together dealing with potential competitors for his attention.
    Thrilled at the promise in his eyes, she lifted a brow and waited.
    “Exclusivity goes both ways.”
    “That goes without saying.” She waved a hand. “We part as friends, doing everything possible to make sure Sil and Elliott don’t get caught in any kind of crossfire.”
    He nodded.
    “Well, then.” She heaved a breath. “I guess the negotiations are complete.” Now that they were, her heart raced like a runaway train, and she had no idea what they were supposed to do next. “I’ve never negotiated this type of thing before. What do we do now?”
    He chuckled and brushed a fingertip over the curve of her cheek. “First, we relax. This doesn’t have to be complicated, Rylee. Don’t over think it.”
    “That’s easy for you to say. I’m about to have a heart attack.”
    He laughed and bending, brushed his lips over hers once more. He straightened before the heat between them could explode out of control.
    “We’ll start with that meal. How does your schedule look tomorrow? Can you meet me for lunch? Say, around one?”
    “I could do that.”
    “Good. What’s your cell number?” He unclipped the phone from his belt.
    She recited the number and he punched at the keypad, placing a call. Her annoy-Sil ringtone chimed. She scrambled to pull the phone from her pocket.
    “Disney fan or are you a romantic?” he asked, grinning.
    She jammed her thumb down on the power button. Disney could have used Coop’s likeness for one of their animated princes. With his head of thick, dark hair and the toothy grin on his handsome face, he had the look.
    “Neither,” she said. “Long story.”
    “Okay, Snow White,” he chuckled at her smirk, “you have my number. Call me tomorrow and I’ll let you know what time I’ll be free from court.” He clipped his phone back on his belt. “Thank Silvia for me, will you? Her jambalaya is the best I’ve ever tasted.”
    “You’re leaving?” The question came out as a squeak.
    “I’m giving you a little space to get used to the idea of you and me.”
    “Oh.”
    Confusion beetled her brows. Agreeing with his suggestion that they get to know one another was a big frigging deal, at least for her, and he wanted to leave? Maybe she had misread his signals after all, despite that heated kiss.
    He took the small step needed to bring their bodies flush once again. Sandwiched between the bars of the cage and his muscled body, she couldn’t miss one very prominent signal pressed against her belly. She stared up into his heated gaze.
    “Unless you’re willing to join me in that bed we discussed right now, I’m going home to take a cold shower.”
    Tempted to suggest he use her shower after she joined him in the bed just down the hall,