Free Crime & Passion by Chantel Rhondeau

she
was about to drive her protector away. Then again, if he had made
the assumption she’d wind up on her back for him just because he
did a little home improvement, it would be best to end that line of
thinking now. “I hope you realize I’m grateful for everything
you’re doing...”
    “I sense a ‘but’ in that statement.”
    She nodded. “I’m not going to sleep with you
as payment.”
    Donovan shifted on the couch and lifted his
work-roughened hand to her face. The tips of his fingers danced
softly across her jaw. He leaned forward, his body pressing against
hers.
    Madeline’s breath quickened as she inhaled
the scent of fresh air and ocean—Donovan’s unique flavor. He
smelled of everything she loved, everything she came to the coast
to find.
    His lips softly brushed her cheek. His warm
breath puffed against her ear, weakening her resolve to keep things
on a friendship basis. Really, would it hurt her to have a
one-night stand with this man? Maybe it was what she needed.
    The sex would be fantastic. It had to be. Why
else would all those women want to be with Donovan? From everything
Brandon said, the entire town knew of Donovan’s inability to
commit. Remarkable bedroom prowess was the only thing that made
sense.
    Donovan pulled away, stroking her head and
tugging gently on her ponytail. “I know what you’ve heard about me.
Most of the gossip is warranted, but not all.”
    Madeline wondered if he could hear the
pounding of her heart. “Tell me what they got wrong,” she said,
pleased she didn’t sound too breathless.
    “Enough sharing.” He stood and pulled her to
her feet. “It’s time to go to the station.”
    “I assume you want my house keys so you can
get back in here while I’m at the station. Give me a reason to
trust you with them.”
    “Hardball, huh?” He grinned and Madeline felt
herself grinning in return. “I’m a jerk, a womanizer, and I
occasionally have a bad temper.”
    Madeline rolled her eyes. “I thought you were
telling me something I didn’t already know.”
    He led her to the doorway, grabbing her keys
off the hook on the wall. “I’m looking for something more than
mind-blowing sex.”
    “So what are you saying? You’re a sensitive
guy searching for his soul mate?” Madeline snorted and shook her
head. “I don’t buy it. You’ve slept with all the women in town, and
probably a ton more here on vacation.”
    “Is that really what you think?”
    “Donovan, be serious. You told me you wanted
to date me, and the next night you were out with someone else. Face
it. You’re player of the year. MVP sort of stuff.” She folded her
arms in front of her. “I just got out of a relationship with a man
like that, only he wasn’t as honest about it as you are.”
    “Ahhh.” He lifted his eyebrows. “That
explains a lot.”
    “What do you mean by that?”
    “Oh, nothing.” He opened the door and they
stepped into the hallway. “Just so you know, I planned that date
before I met you. But I broke things off with Christy last
night.”
    “You did?” Madeline didn’t know how to feel
about that. Even though she’d been jealous and spiteful, calling
Donovan’s date a child, Christy really was a beautiful young woman.
“What happened? Was she horrible in bed?”
    He shrugged. “I wouldn’t know.”
    She shook her head, not sure she could
believe him. “Everyone in town agrees on one thing—if you stand
next to a woman for five minutes, her next position will be on her
back. You’re saying that didn’t happen with Christy?”
    His jaw clenched and he stared at her for a
moment without answering. “Why do we have to talk about this?” he
finally asked.
    Madeline looked away from him, wondering why
she felt compelled to tell him the truth. “I’ve dealt with men who
sleep around,” she said softly. “I want a reason to trust you.”
    Donovan caught her under the chin and forced
her to look at him. “Christy begged me to have sex with her. I