Free License to Love by Barbara Boswell

for her defenses to remain intact around him. “As you can see, I’m not really set up for overnight guests.” Her voice was as rigid as her stance. “Well, believe me, honey, I never intended on being one.” “Should I be insulted or flattered by that radical departure from your usual modus operandi?”
    “Neither. I was, uh, shading the truth a bit.” Smiling, Steve caught both her hands in his. “In all honesty, my modus operandi was right on track. From the moment I saw you in that dress, I had high hopes of being invited to stay over—but not on the sofa. In your bedroom.” He lifted her palm to his mouth and pressed his lips against the warm center. “Care to rethink the sleeping arrangements, sweetie?”
    Sweetie! Grimacing, Michelle pulled her hand away. “No.”
    Steve shrugged and flopped down next to the cat. “Oh well, it was worth a try. And admit it, you really would’ve been insulted if I’d hadn’t made a single play for you.” Michelle stared at him, off balance once more. “That’s all? You’re giving up?” Could it possibly be this easy? She’d been feeling increasingly anxious and vulnerable since they’d entered the apartment... and rightfully so. A woman alone in her apartment with a man she really didn’t know at all that well, and with date rape on the rise...
    She eyed him warily. “You aren’t going to... to make a serious pass at me?”
    “I’ll be glad to, if you give me the signal. Otherwise, consider my token attempt the pass of the night. I don’t believe in forcing myself on a woman, Michelle. If she says no, I respect that.”
    Inordinately relieved, Michelle sank down onto the sofa beside him. “I’m glad to hear that. I wasn’t looking forward to having to fight you off tonight.”
    “That would be a first for me,” Steve said dryly. “I’ve never experienced having a woman fight me off.”
    Michelle gazed at him, unable to tear her eyes away. He really was a marvelous-looking man with those dark good looks and solidly masculine build. Her pulses fluttered oddly. “I suppose for you, the reverse applies,” she said thoughtfully. “All those panting, eager dates of yours —you probably have to fight them off.”
    “To keep them from having their wicked way with me?” Steve laughed. “Let’s not go into that. Suffice to say, that I understand no means no. And on the brighter side—yes means yes.”
    “So if a woman says yes, you’ll take her to bed, but it doesn’t really matter either way to you, does it?” Michelle frowned quizzically. “You’re awfully nonchalant about all of this. I thought making conquests was serious business to men like you.”
    Steve leaned back against the sofa cushions and stretched his legs, resting his feet on the low, wide coffee table. “You’re thinking of those neurotic types whose self-worth depends on whether or not they can lure women into bed with them. They usually do everything in their power to make the women fall in love with them, too—it’s all part of their sick little ego-boosting game. Women make a big mistake by lumping all single men into the same category. There are major differences between those needy, insecure jerks and us confident, happy, independent guys. Those creeps give the rest of us a bad name.”
    He leaned toward her, his dark eyes intense. “I don’t need a woman’s capitulation to affirm my masculinity or to build my self-esteem. I’m very satisfied with myself and my life. I have my work and lots of interests, I have friends and family and I relish my freedom. I’m not looking for love and I’ve never pretended otherwise. I like women, I enjoy being with them, and I just want to have a good time.”
    Michelle regarded him archly. “Are you always this honest with the women you, uh, date? Are you always so upfront about your intentions—or the lack of them?”
    Steve shrugged, grinning. “I don’t usually talk this much with the women I, uh, date. ” He mimicked her