Free The Gentlewoman by Lisa Durkin Page A

and helpful. I mean, I can
tell he has the hots for me, but there’s more to it than that, like he’s trying
to get close to me for a reason other than getting into my pants. Which really
makes it inconvenient. I’ve been more forthcoming with him, and most of the
time I feel like I’m giving him the rope with which he’ll hang me. Does any of
this make sense?”
    “Makes perfect sense to me. Landon has you completely
paranoid.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “I’m talking about the fact that Landon McCollum has trained
you to be overly suspicious and paranoid since you were twenty-two years old.”
She held up a hand when Rory started to protest. “Couple that with the fact
that what Aidan did left you completely devoid of the ability to trust and I’m
sure you’re questioning every word Jackson Dorn utters. Which is a shame, just
so you know.”
    “Look, I’m not stupid. I’m not past using people to get what
I need politically, up to a point. I’m sure that’s what he’s up to. He just
goes way overboard with the foreplay.”
    “Have you ever considered the fact that maybe he’s just
really into you? Why don’t you just go with it and see where this leads? You
say he’s a nice guy and he’s helping you a lot, so what could be the harm?
You’re using him for contacts, so what if he eventually asks you for a favor?
And, FYI, what’s wrong with scratching the itch? What’s wrong with exploring
where this might go and having some fun along the way?”
    “I’m nervous to find out how badly it’ll suck after
everything goes to shit.”
    “The glass is just always half full with you, isn’t it?”
    “Fool me once, shame on me,” Rory said into her glass.
    “That’s not how the saying goes, and you know it. You just
turned thirty-five. Don’t you think it’s a little early to decide that your
shots at happiness are all used up? Look, I’ve been here with you through all
the bullshit and I know it’s been worse than hell. I know you’re not over it,
and sometimes I worry you’ll never move on. You hold on to the loss like it’s
an albatross you have to bear for the rest of your life. But I’m here to tell
you that you don’t have to. Give life a try again. Give Jackson Dorn the
attention he’s obviously looking for and see where this goes. Have some fun.
Move on.”
    Easier said than done, Rory thought. “So I should just fuck
him? You are such a bad influence on me.” She smiled, trying to change the
subject. “Besides, Landon would kill me for hooking up with the enemy, and the
party wouldn’t like it.”
    “Yes, and they are both worth living life for, aren’t they?”
Nicole stated.
    “Oh look, there’s Roy Charles. I need to catch up with him.”
She walked away as Nicole shook her head in exasperation. Unfortunately, Nicole
was hitting the nail on the head.
     
    Rory finally made it home around nine and Jackson heard her
enter her apartment. He tried not to concentrate on the fact that he’d been
lying in wait and jumping up at every little noise. He knocked softly on her
door.
    “Who’s there?”
    He smiled as she yelled. “It’s Jackson, can I come in?”
    “Door’s open.”
    “Why is the door unlocked if you’re in here alone?” He made
his way into the great room and his gaze fell to the new couch. She lay there
as if she had merely walked in and collapsed. “Long day?”
    “Yes, long and exhausting,” she replied, without opening her
eyes.
    Jackson couldn’t help himself. He lowered himself onto the
sofa, planting his knees on either side of her small body. As he eased himself
down, he slid his arms underneath her shoulders. His face was two inches from
hers.
    “What are you doing?” She stared at him.
    “I wanted to ask how you enjoyed the luncheon.” He smiled
and stared into her eyes. He brushed her hair back from her face, resting his
palm on the side of her head. His thumb stroked her cheek, looking so large and
rough next to her pale