Free Catch 'n' Kiss (Are You Game?) by Rhian Cahill Page B

don’t think he loved you?”
    “I think he did as much as he’s capable of.” How did she explain her ex without sounding bitter or mean? Because she wasn’t either of those. They’d both made mistakes in the relationship and Jody fully owned her side of their failure. “Colin is a very selfish, thoughtless person. I’m not sure he’s able to love anyone deeply. He definitely isn’t willing to make the effort necessary to sustain a relationship. My error was in thinking I could love enough for both of us.”
    “He didn’t deserve you or the girls.”
    Dan’s quiet words brought the sting of tears. He was right. Colin had never deserved the devotion she’d shown him and he certainly didn’t deserve to have two beautiful daughters. Her only consolation was that he didn’t really have the girls. They’d never bonded even when she’d been married to their father, and he hadn’t made any attempt to maintain the fragile connection they’d had once he’d left. “Thank you.”
    “I think I should be thanking him.”
    “Why?” What could Dan possible thank Colin for?
    “Because if the guy wasn’t such a douche bag, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to get to know you. Not the way I want to.”
    “Oh.” Jody didn’t know what to say to that. She and Dan had hardly been on good terms after they’d first met and now they seemed to have stepped right past getting to know each other straight into being physically intimate.
    “I know what you’re thinking.” She went to speak but he talked right over her. “You don’t want to get to know me. I get that you’ve erected barriers after your marriage and I accept that getting to know you is going to be an uphill battle, but I think you’re worth it. I think what we have between us, and don’t deny there’s something there, is worth the effort it’s going to take for me to climb those barriers.”
    “Jeez, you don’t pull any punches.”
    “I’m not going to trick you into this, Jody. I’ll be honest every step of the way. I’m also going to push you when you won’t want me to. But if you really want me to back off. Really want me to leave you alone and only be a workmate, I will.”
    Stunned speechless, Jody mulled over what Dan had said. On one hand, she wanted him to back off and leave her alone, but on the other, she liked that he was pursuing her. She’d never had that. Never had the rush of excitement that came with a man wanting her above all others.
    “Here’s what I suggest we do. We take this weekend to think about it. Ask me anything. Tell me anything. I’ll do the same, and for just these two days we’ll be nothing but honest and open. And when Sunday rolls around, we can decide where we’re going from there. How does that sound?”
    “Like you’re backing off.”
    “Oh, no, definitely not.” He got out of bed and came over to hers. Planting his hands on the pillow either side of her head, he leaned over and put his face right in hers. “I’ll be in your face, stealing kisses and touching you every chance I get. I’m planning to stack the deck in my favour and I’ll use every trick I have to do it.”
    She didn’t get the opportunity to respond before he followed through on his words. He slanted his mouth over hers, but unlike the hurried, frantic kisses of before, he took his time. He swept his tongue across her lips, probed the seam until she opened and slipped her tongue out to tangle with his. A moan echoed between them and Jody wasn’t sure if it was his or hers. The kiss was slow and lush, a gentle exploration of new territory that stole her breath and sped up her heart rate.
    Her pulse beat a rapid cadence that reverberated through every nerve—every cell. Just when she thought he’d go deeper, he eased back, took them to soft nips and tender licks until he pulled away completely, leaving her panting for breath and wondering what was wrong. Before she could ask, he placed his lips on her forehead in a quick