Free The Trouble With Scarecrows (The Trouble With Men Book 2) by Dorlana Vann Page B

thirsty. And you’re a cold drink of water. I want to drink you up.”
    She looked at him now. “You are such an exaggerator. What happened was, you told me, when I was inebriated, that I had a perfect body and said my ex—who dumped me—was a jerk. You did that on purpose.”
    “What? What is that supposed to mean? I did that on purpose? I said those things because . . .” He glanced to the side, his tongue scraping the inside of his mouth.
    She knew it. “You felt sorry for me. You were going to say you felt sorry for me. Weren’t you? Well, guess what? I don’t need or want your pity. I don’t need anyone’s pity!”
    “I wasn’t going to say that. I was going to say—”
    “Shh.” She put out a ‘be quiet’ finger. “I don’t care what you were going to say. I had too much to drink, you took advantage of the situation, and this was all a colossal mistake.”
    “You’re delusional. I did not . . . Never mind! Forget it! It’s clear you regret last night and you know what? So. Do. I.” He left the room.
    A second later, Brenda jumped when she heard the front door slam.
    She plopped down on the bed. “That’s right. I regret it.” Brenda fell back and closed her eyes. The image of Neal bending over her made her want to melt into the bed. She licked her lips at the memory of his kiss, deep, wanting, all consuming. Last night, she’d felt the heat from his body before it had touched hers, making her crave that contact more than anything. There was nothing in this world that would have stopped her last night.
    She wished she had ‘being drunk’ as an excuse, but she would have never put herself into such a helpless state. Then what the hell had it been? She’d never let lust rule her either, but that had to be it because what else could it be? The break-up with Larry had crushed her. She’d felt so alone for such a long time, and Neal had been so understanding, and shit if he wasn’t hot. Smoldering, even. The way he had stared at her at the bar, like she was the sexiest woman on earth . . . that’s how he made her feel. He had wanted her, right? Because last night she’d felt it with everything she had. Yes, Neal had seduced her, but she had allowed herself to be seduced. “Nope.” She sighed. “I don’t regret it one bit.” But the last thing she wanted or could even handle right then was a shallow physical relationship. She needed more, and she didn’t think Neal was capable of giving her want she really needed.
    So she knew she had to try and put the night behind her and move on. Somehow.

Chapter 12
    Neal stumbled as he pulled up his pants and crossed the hallway to his apartment. “It was just sex. It was just stupid sex. I knew better. I knew better than to get involved with another woman I can’t have.” Then his words disgusted him. “I don’t want her!”
    He went inside his apartment and slammed the door.
    “What an arrogant bitch! Took advantage of her, my ass! She threw herself at me after a couple of compliments. I didn’t even have to buy her a drink. Not technically anyway.” He fisted his hands at his side. He could feel the anger that had built surge through his body and he wanted to hit something. He was headed toward his weight bench but then stopped when he heard his name.
    He relaxed his hands, thinking for a second that Brenda was there to apologize. He turned toward the door.
    Zadora stood in the open doorway. “I thought I heard you say come in.”
    He hadn’t even heard her knock.
    “Are you okay?” Zadora asked, not making a move out of the doorway.
    He shook his head. Of course Brenda hadn’t followed him. She was still in her apartment sharpening her claws. “Just stupid,” he said, his anger returning at the thought that he’d wanted Brenda there even now.
    “What’s the matter? You seem upset.”
    “I don’t mean to be rude, but you’re walking into a bee’s nest right now. I’m liable to say something you don’t want to