Free Just One Look (Women of Substance) by Marilyn Lee Page A

am,” she said, leaning away from my lips.
    “Is that your charming way of telling me I’m too ripe?” I asked, standing up.
    “No.” She looked up at me. “I’m not a woman who finds a man’s honest sweat unpleasant.”
    “Damn, you’re just about perfect in every way.”
    “You think so?”
    Unfortunately, I did. I kissed her. “I’ll be back in fifteen minutes—after I shower away my honest sweat.”
    “I’ll be here,” she promised.
    When I rejoined her after a shower, there was a plate with a covered top in front of me on the table.
    I sat down and lifted the lid. Home fries, egg whites, toast, and bacon. A glass of orange juice and a cup of coffee sat next to the plate. “Aren’t you eating?” I asked, picking up a knife and fork.
    She shook her head. “I’ll never lose weight eating breakfast and the endless chocolates you keep buying.”
    “It would be a damned shame for you to lose a single ounce.”
    She smiled. “You make me feel so pretty.”
    “You are pretty. Very pretty.”
    “I’m glad you think so but not every man shares that view.”
    “Why do you care what other men think?”
    She shrugged. “Because I’m going to marry some other man. That’s who I’m interested in pleasing.”
    What the fuck! I moved my hand below the table and clenched it into a fist as I stared at her. “What the hell makes you think I want to discuss your marrying another man?”
    She inhaled slowly. “If that’s your not so subtle way of telling me your interest is strictly sexual, I already know that.”
    “Good. Then there won’t be any misunderstandings between us,” I said, annoyed at the turn the conversation had taken. Why the hell couldn’t a woman ever leave well enough alone? Why the fuck did she have to keep pushing until she destroyed all prospects for a great, guilt-free, sexy-filled weekend.
    She gave me a long, unblinking look.
    If she were foolish enough to think I was so horny that one night with her would make me want more than a brief fling, it was time she had a damned reality check. I stared back.
    “No. There won’t.”
    “Good.”
    She rose and walked through the French doors into the living room.
    I sat, watching her leave the living room. If she thought I was going to chase her again and ask her not to leave, she could damn well think again! I’d already allowed her to jerk me around more than any other woman ever had. If she wanted to storm off—fuck her!
    Although I’d lost my appetite, I ate my breakfast. When she reappeared in the living room with her suitcase, I steeled myself not to move. You are not going to beg her. If she wants to leave, let her.
    She put her suitcase down and came to the French doors. “Last night was a mistake.”
    Her words stung far more than they should have, but damned if I’d give her the satisfaction of showing it. I shrugged. “Sorry you feel that way.”
    “I’m sure you do too.”
    “I don’t need you or anyone else speaking for me.”
    She shrugged. “Why would you need or want anything from me now that you got what you wanted?”
    I had gotten what I’d wanted from the moment I saw her—sex. She was right. There was nothing else I needed or wanted from her. But there was no way I’d admit that because I knew hearing it would hurt her. And I didn’t want that.
    I had planned to just let her walk away but found I couldn’t. “You were going to spend the weekend with me.”
    “That was never really a good idea.”
    I shrugged. “Then don’t let me keep you.”
    She compressed her lips and swallowed before she spoke. “I won’t.”
    “I’ll get my keys and drive you home.”
    “Don’t bother.”
    “It’s no bother.”
    “I’d rather go alone,” she said.
    “Fine.”
    “I already called for a cab. I’ll wait in the lobby.”
    I rose slowly and reached for my wallet.
    “No,” she said. “I got myself into this mess and I can get myself out.”
    I resumed my seat and stared silently at her.
    “I’ll