Bridesmaid with Attitude

‘That much I already know.’

She let out a low sigh and took a step backwards, breaking the connection of his hand on her shoulder. ‘I don’t get it. I’m single, you’re single—what’s the problem?’

‘I told you: this is a business relationship. I’m not looking for it to develop into anything more.’

‘You know, usually the only time men act as if they don’t like me is when they want me but think they’re not allowed to have me.’

He folded his arms in front of his chest. ‘You really believe I think I’m not allowed to have you?’

‘Perhaps. There has to be some deep-seated angst simmering away under that tough outer shell of yours.’

‘Maybe I don’t find you attractive.’

She narrowed her eyes and gave him a discerning smile. ‘Maybe.’

‘Why do you want to sleep with me so badly?’

‘Because you won’t let me.’ Her grin was wide and authentic. ‘I’m just messing with you, Theo,’ she said, slapping him gently on the arm.

He huffed out a laugh and tried to ignore the way his body had hardened in response to her teasing. No way was he letting her get into his head, and he definitely wasn’t interested in allowing her to flatter her way into his bed. He’d been burned like that before.

‘Although I haven’t had sex for months,’ she continued, giving him that coy look she’d tried on him when they’d first met. ‘I’ve been too busy at work to have any kind of fun outside it.’

The heat in his body seemed to increase tenfold. He pushed away the feeling. ‘Speaking of life outside, I checked you out online. You have quite a presence in the gutter press.’

She shrugged and glanced away. ‘I used to. I haven’t done anything outrageous recently, so they’ve grown a little bored with me.’

‘Cleaning up your image?’

Her gaze met his again, square in the eyes. ‘I just haven’t found anyone interesting enough to play with.’

The underlying suggestion of until now hung heavily in the air between them.

He shrugged it off.

‘It might be a sticking point for my mother if she checks up on you and sees the sort of exposure you’ve had in the past.’

‘Surely the fact you’ve tamed the wild child in me will be a plus point? It’s one of those fantasies, isn’t it? A strong alpha male showing a fallen woman that she’s worth more than she thinks she is? Usually by being spectacular in bed,’ she said pointedly, waggling an eyebrow at him.

He snorted and shook his head. ‘What kind of books have you been reading?’

‘Actually, I don’t read as much as I used to. I never seem to have the time, what with my job being so all-consuming. But I have a vivid