Free Natural Born Trouble by Sherryl Woods Page A

the comment slide. “And you’re here for?”
    â€œKitty litter and cat food,” he responded easily. “Mittens and the others go through the stuff faster than the boys go through a gallon of milk.”
    Dani grinned. “Are you so sure that some of that milk isn’t going into the kittens, as well?”
    â€œNow that you mention it, no.”
    Since the explanation for Duke’s presence was so patently flimsy, she couldn’t help teasing him about it. “You could have gotten the supplies you wanted at the grocery store, you know. They carry every brand you could want and their prices are much lower than mine.”
    â€œBut then I wouldn’t have had an excuse to see you,” he admitted, his gaze settling on her face and lingering until her cheeks flushed.
    It was what she’d expected, hoped, he would say, but she began a protest just the same. “Duke—”
    â€œI know. I know. You’re not interested.”
    â€œAnd you promised—”
    â€œI promised we’d be friends, not that I’d avoid all contact,” he pointed out.
    â€œIs that why you’ve made yourself so scarce the past couple of weeks?” she asked without thinking of the implication of the question.
    Naturally, though, Duke didn’t miss it. His eyes lit with amusement. “So, you did notice. Good. Actually, I was out of town for several days on business. Jordan could have told you that if you’d asked.”
    â€œYou’ve got to be kidding,” she said. “Do you know what he’d make of my asking?”
    â€œNo more than I am, probably.”
    Dani scowled at him. “Well, don’t let it go to your head. My curiosity was no more significant than if I’d been wondering about the absence of ants at a picnic.”
    â€œLumping me in with other pests and nuisances?” Duke inquired.
    Dani shrugged. “If the shoe fits…”
    â€œA lesser man might be insulted by the comparison and give up. Is that what you’re hoping? If so, you might as well save your breath. I’m a persistent kind of guy.”
    â€œYour persistence would pay off a whole lot faster if you picked somebody else to pester,” she pointed out.
    â€œHeck, Dani, surely you know that the chase is half the fun.”
    She frowned at the flippant words. “You see, that’s exactly the problem,” she said with gathering intensity. “It’s all a game to you. You have two sons. You shouldn’t be playing games. In the end they’re the ones who’ll get hurt.”
    His gaze narrowed. “Let me guess. You’re talking from experience, aren’t you? This has something to do with that jerk, doesn’t it? And his kids weren’t the only ones who got hurt. You did, too.”
    His guesswork was on the money. “It’s not important,” she insisted anyway.
    â€œTell that to someone who’ll believe it, darlin’. Me, I just figure that gives me an extra obstacle to overcome.”
    She found his cavalier attitude exasperating. “Dammit, Duke, there you go again, turning it into some sort of contest. Maybe we can become friends, maybe not, but we sure as heck aren’t becoming anything more. Have I made myself clear?”
    â€œAbundantly,” he said.
    She didn’t buy the easy capitulation. “There are a dozen women in this town I could introduce you to this afternoon, who’d be willing to play it your way, no questions asked. Give me the word and I’ll call one right now.”
    â€œI don’t think so,” he said, his gaze locked with hers. “There are some obstacles to be overcome, but the fact remains that I’ve got my eye on you.”
    She returned his look helplessly. “Why?”
    The simple question seemed to stump him as much as it did her. She had to give him credit for considering his answer before he replied.
    â€œChemistry?” he