Free Breaking The Drought by Lisa Ireland

really enjoyed spending this evening with you. I thought the feeling was mutual.’
    â€˜It was. Jenna…’
    It seemed an age before he spoke again and Jenna had the feeling he was choosing his words very carefully.
    â€˜Jenna, I like you. I’m very attracted to you, but I just can’t do this. You don’t want me in your life, believe me.’
    â€˜Not even for a weekend?’ She hoped her voice was suitably alluring.
    He shook his head. ‘I don’t think so. I can’t get involved with anyone right now. Let’s not complicate things.’
    â€˜It doesn’t have to be complicated.’
    â€˜I’m not a good person, Jenna.’ The pain in his voice was palpable.
    Jenna couldn’t resist the urge to touch him, to comfort him. She laid her hand on his. ‘I know that’s not true.’
    Luke was silent, but he didn’t move his hand away.
    â€˜I can tell that you are a very warm and loving person,’ she said, looking straight into his eyes.
    He looked at her tenderly. ‘Jenna, you’re very sweet, but you don’t know me.’
    Four glasses of champagne had warmed her blood and loosened her normally tight rein on her emotions. Stuff being sensible . Here was a red-blooded man who was attracted to her. The fact that he was completely unsuitable for her as a long-term partner somehow made him even more attractive. Brooke was right. There was something to be said for one-night stands.
    She reached over and placed her hand on his face. Her pulse raced but her voice was steady. ‘I know that I’ve never been attracted to another man the way I am to you.’
    And then his mouth was on hers. He parted her lips softly, tenderly at first, and then, as she responded, his kisses became more urgent. The sound of her heartbeat drowned out all other sound. A knot of warmth formed low in her belly and began to spread throughout her and she longed to be closer to him, to feel his bare skin against her own. She was shocked at the strength of her desire.
    And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, it was over.
    Luke pulled away sharply. ‘I’m sorry. I can’t do this. I just can’t.’
    â€˜Luke — ’
    â€˜I need to get you home. I don’t want Maggie worrying about us.’ He sat upright and buckled his seatbelt before turning the key in the ignition.
    Jenna silently slid her own belt back on and stared out into the starlit night. It seemed she was cursed where men were concerned. She couldn’t even to manage to throw herself at one properly.

Chapter 6
    Jenna was woken by a soft tapping on her bedroom door.
    â€˜Jen, wake up,’ Brooke said, as she burst into the room. ‘Come on, sleepy head, we’ve got a recovery barbeque to attend in less than an hour.’
    Jenna groaned. The events of last night had left her confused and unsettled. She had spent most of the night tossing and turning, wondering what was wrong with her and cursing herself for giving in to blind passion. She had been stupid to go against her own instincts.
    Now she was exhausted and had a headache. But much worse than that, once she left this room she would have to face him .
    â€˜How did your night end up?’ Brooke asked as she pulled the covers back from Jenna’s bed.
    â€˜Fine,’ Jenna said. ‘What about yours?’ With a bit of luck Brooke would take the bait and change the subject.
    â€˜It was fantastic. Rob took me up to the lookout. The town looks gorgeous from up there.’
    â€˜So it was strictly a sight-seeing venture?’
    â€˜Guess that depends on your definition of sight-seeing,’ Brooke said, with a mischievous grin. ‘I was looking at a mighty fine sight right there in the car.’
    Jenna laughed. ‘I take it your date went well.’
    â€˜Yeah, Rob’s great. We got on like a house on fire. I can’t wait to see him again this morning. Which is why,