Free Playing With Seduction by Erika Wilde Page A

the military at the age of eighteen, intending to use his high-level computer skills in the Air Force to advance as a security systems specialist. Once he was done with his eight-year term, he’d focus on building his career with a strong, reputable security company and pad his savings for a few years. He wanted to be firmly established in every aspect of his life before he settled down and started a family, because he intended to be a hands-on dad and devote time and attention to raising his kids. He wanted his own children to have everything he’d grown up without.
    So to answer Kendall’s question, no, he wasn’t near ready to get married and have babies. That was still a few years away and wasn’t even on his personal radar yet. Which was exactly the point she was trying to make.
    Fuck . Feeling like he’d just been kicked hard in the stomach, and knowing he couldn’t make those promises right now, he released his hold on her.
    She rubbed her arms, and the small smile she gave him was sad, understanding even. “It’s okay,” she said softly. “You’re young and you’re not ready for that kind of life and responsibilities. But I am, and so is Grant. He’s a nice guy, and we have a lot in common, which we already knew based on the online profile we both had to fill out. We’re both established in our careers, we’re the same age, and we have the same future goals. I’m not getting any younger, and I really want a family and kids. It’s all I’ve wanted for years.”
    And her rat bastard ex had stolen that from her in the worst way possible. What Kendall wanted, what she deserved , was a man who would give her all those things. Even though he couldn’t make that kind of commitment to her, he didn’t want to let her go, either. And the thought of another man touching her in any way made him resentful as hell.
    How selfish of an asshole did that make him ?
    He had no reply that didn’t make him sound like said asshole, so he kept his jaw clenched tight and his mouth shut, even though it nearly killed him to do so.
    She reached up and laid her palm against his cheek, then gave him a smile so sweet that it made the heart in his chest constrict so tight it hurt to breathe. “You gave me the most erotic night of my life tonight,” she said huskily, her face still flushed from that last orgasm he’d given her. “Thank you for that.”
    He didn’t want Kendall’s fucking gratitude. He wanted her . So badly that, when she walked out the door, he felt as though she’d taken a part of him with her that he’d never be able to get back.

Chapter Six

    K endall glanced at the handsome chiropractor sitting across the small table from her, his gaze quite serious as he perused the bar’s wine list through his reading glasses. “They really don’t have a very big selection of good wine here,” Grant said, sounding disappointed even as he glanced up at her and asked, “Which would you prefer? Red Zinfandel or the Chardonnay?”
    “Neither,” she said, which earned her a startled look from Grant. “I’m not much of a wine drinker,” she quickly explained. To her, all wines, expensive or cheap, seemed to taste the same—tart and tangy. It just wasn’t her thing. “I think I’m going to have a lemon drop martini.”
    He frowned at her over the black rim of his glasses. “It’s a shame you don’t care for wine. I have a small cellar at home with bottles of great wine, and I belong to the Wine of the Month Club.”
    “Ahh, more wine for you, then,” she teased, but he didn’t even crack a smile. He obviously took his wine very seriously.
    He went back to his wine list, which gave her a few more minutes to just sit back in her chair and relax. This was her third outing with Grant—the first had been coffee at Starbucks with easy conversation and the second an informal lunch that had ended with a nice kiss. This was their first evening date, and she’d agreed to meet him at the small, casual bar and