Free Skin Deep by Cher Carson Page A

her. Probably three months. 
    “I’m not lying, sweetheart. Believe me, I saw you sitting here and every other woman around you became invisible.”
    She rolled her eyes. “You’re good. I’ll give you that, Doc.”
    “Still not willing to believe I might be sincere, huh?”
    Taking a sip from her water bottle, she considered whether to mention her talk with Justin. She didn’t want to seem like she cared. “My brother tried to convince me that you took a vow of celibacy,” she said, trying to keep it light.
    “I have,” he said, looking somber.
    She chuckled. “Yeah, like I believe that.”
    Sitting back in his seat, he tipped his head back and closed his eyes, looking defeated. “Damn it, Alana. Why won’t you give me the benefit of the doubt? I’m not your ex; I wouldn’t do that to you.”
    “Now you sound just like him.” She made quotation marks in the air with her fingers. “‘I’d never hurt you, baby. They’re lying; they’re out to get me…’” Clenching her hands, she said, “You’re all the same.”
    “That’s where you’re wrong,” he said, leaning in so no one could overhear their conversation. “I admit to everything I’ve ever done. I’ve never lied, and I’ve never cheated.”
    “And that’s supposed to make it better?” she asked, incredulous. “Your behavior was still reprehensible.”
    “What the hell gives you the right to judge me?” he asked, shifting in his seat to face her. “I slept with women who knew the score,” he said, quietly. “I didn’t make any promises, and no one got hurt.”
    She considered his reasoning and hated to admit that it made sense. What he did and who he did it with was none of her business. His choices didn’t make him a bad guy. He just wasn’t the guy for her. Extending her hand, she forced a smile. “I’m sorry, okay? You’re right; I may have judged you too harshly because of my ex, and that wasn’t fair.”
    Grinning, he took her hand, turning it over to kiss her palm as he looked her in the eye. “You have no idea how much I wanted to hear you say that, sweetheart.” He extended his arm across the back of her chair, running his hand through her hair. “I’ve thought about you a lot…”
    She slipped her hand out of his and inched back as much as the close confines would allow. “You misunderstood, Ryan. I’m not interested in picking up where we left off. I just want to call a truce so we can get through this week without killing each other.”
    Gaping at her, he asked, “You’re serious? You don’t feel anything for me? The attraction’s just died; is that what you’re trying to tell me?” 
    Being within ten feet of him stirred up all kinds of emotions she was too afraid to analyze. “I’m sorry.”
    “You’re lying,” he said, moving in closer. “You still want me as much as I want you. That day we spent together at my place was just a prelude. It could get so much more intense.” His eyes fell to her lips. “Let me show you.”
    Wow. She felt his words spiral through her body like a hot coil as her imagination picked up where his vow left her hanging. “I can’t…”
    “Yes, you can,” he whispered. “You remember how hot it was. That was just the beginning. I want to do so much more to you.”
    She took a deep breath, trying to slow her erratic breathing. She felt like they were having phone sex right there in the middle of a busy airport, only he wasn’t some unseen stranger on the other end of a phone line. He was right in front of her, close enough to reach out and touch. “Stop, please.”
    He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of her seat.
    “What are you doing?” she asked. “Where are you taking me?”
    “We need a little space, a little privacy,” he said, practically dragging her through the terminal waiting area.
    “Why did you do that?” she hissed, trying to break free of his grasp.
    “Your mother was watching us like we were the premiere feature. The only thing