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Blake couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Safe? She had to be kidding. “Is that how you see yourself?”

“I’m a kindergarten teacher from a tiny town in Iowa. You are a sophisticated, wealthy businessman from New York City. When it comes to experience, I’m no match for you.”

And that was a huge part of her charm. He liked her authenticity. She was a woman of substance and depth. She intrigued his mind in addition to captivating his body.

Blake stared at her profile and fell into the memory of their lovemaking. Desire hummed pleasantly along his nerves, the sensation muted, but poised to sharpen with the least provocation. She might be right to be concerned.

“I can see where you might get that idea,” he said. But where was she headed with her analysis? Was she treating him to a tongue-in-cheek jab at his forceful personality, or was she worried he’d be too physically demanding?

“Also, you know I have no interest in marrying you. So there’s no pressure.”

She had everything all figured out, didn’t she?

“You have no interest in marrying me?” Blake’s amusement dimmed. If anyone other than Bella had made that statement, he would write it off as a woman willing to say anything to keep a man from bolting. But this was Bella, determined to stay childless.

“You probably find that hard to believe.” She gave him a smug look. “But it’s true. Plus, you don’t have to worry whether or not I’ll fall for you because you already know I won’t.”

“Am I so undesirable?” She was certainly making him feel that way.

“You know you’re not,” she retorted, treating him to a scowl. “In fact, you’re very charming and terribly handsome.”

“Which explains why you’re completely immune.”

She sighed. “Even if I believed Cinderella stories can come true—which I don’t—the fact of the matter is you and Drew are a package deal. At some point you’re going to want to get remarried to someone who can be a mother to him. That’s not me.”

She’d certainly thought the whole thing through. Too bad for her, he’d done some comprehensive strategizing of his own.

“Where does that leave us?”

“I was thinking a casual summer romance. Something to bridge the gap between your divorce from Victoria and the next Mrs. Blake Ford.”

Blake couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “How casual, exactly?”

“Great sex. No strings.”

She looked so pleased with herself that Blake wanted to shake her until the ridiculous idea tumbled out of her mind. Great sex. No strings. What man wouldn’t jump at the opportunity?

It was impossible. And insulting. Did she really think he could spend the next two months getting to know her, making love to her and then just let her go?

Blake pitched his voice to disguise his annoyance and asked, “If we were to begin a no-strings arrangement, have you considered how we might go about it?”

“Not really. But if we were to do consider one, it would have to remain a secret.”

This was just getting better and better. “Are you embarrassed to be with me?”

“I’m only thinking of your reputation.”

“Why don’t you let me worry about my reputation.”

He brushed her hair off her shoulder and grazed his thumb along the line of her neck, feeling her tremble beneath his touch. Her eyes widened as he tugged her off balance. She wasn’t quick enough to save herself and ended up tumbling onto the blanket beside him.

“Blake,” she muttered in obvious warning.

He cupped her head and drew her closer. His lips grazed hers and he smiled when he felt her kissing him back. “Are you asking me to stop?”

“Yes.” Rattled and flushed though she was, her tone was firm.

After several quick heartbeats, he complied.

“I think it’s time I took Drew back up to the house. He’ll need a bath before lunch.” She got quickly to her feet and picked up Drew. “Do you mind bringing the blanket and his toys?”

“Not at all,” he said. “I’ll be up shortly.”

Eight (#ua92daced-f5eb-51d0-bc5e-2f99ec7a4f36)

With her nerves all stirred up, Bella was breathless by the time she reached the house. The mirror in the hall between the kitchen and foyer reflected a wild-eyed woman with windblown hair and bright red cheeks.

Why was it every time he touched her she came apart? Only the fact that they were on a public beach kept her from surrendering to the sensual light shimmering in his eyes.

“Hello?” a voice called from the entry.

Bella’s heart plummeted when she spied Blake’s ex-wife. For her impromptu visit, Victoria had chosen to wear a pair of wide-legged white linen pants and a sheer white blouse over a lacy camisole. Her long blond hair was fastened into a messy knot atop her head with loose tendrils framing her face. She wore gold sandals with four-inch heels. The look was perfect for a party at the yacht club or demonstrating to your ex-husband how much he was missing.

“Hello, Victoria.” Bella shifted Drew’s weight higher on her hip. “I didn’t realize you were in the Hamptons.”

“I’m staying with Blake’s sister.” Victoria’s perfect lips curved into a smug smile.

It took a second to register that Blake’s ex-wife wasn’t the least bit surprised to see her. “I heard Jeanne rented a house nearby.”

“Just three houses down. We’re neighbors. Isn’t that nice?”

While Bella wondered why Blake had neglected to mention this, Victoria rattled on. “I tried calling him earlier, but got his voice mail, so I thought I’d pop over and invite him out for lunch.”

“He’s down at the beach.”

“Looks like you all were.” For an instant Victoria’s perfectly arched eyebrows came together. “It didn’t take you long after my divorce to break your promise.”

“Blake needed my help.” Bella glanced behind her, wondering where he was. She would appreciate him running interference with his ex. “And the reason I made the promise was no longer valid.”

“I’m still Drew’s mother. We’re still a family.” Except for her initial greeting, Victoria hadn’t paid Drew a bit of attention. Her focus was all on Bella.

Bella bit down on the inside of her lip to keep from firing back at Victoria. No need for the model-turned-actress to know how much Blake had shared about the reasons for his divorce.

“Of course you are.” Bella decided the safest thing to do was change the subject. “How have you been?”

“Just terrible,” Victoria said, her tone turning tragic. “I miss Blake. I made such a mistake leaving him.”

Bella was at a loss for what to say. Last night Blake had held her in his arms, made her come alive. Not once had he mentioned that he’d had dinner with Victoria or that she was staying with his stepsister.