Free A New Resolution by Ceri Grenelle Page A

better with the least amount of effort put into their appearance. A fact she found inherently unfair.
    “I’m sorry, Kieran,” she said, finally gathering her wits. “I have somewhere to be and couldn’t wait around. I’m sure you handled her just as well without me.” She couldn’t make the quick getaway she wanted to as he was blocking the driver’s side door. She had enough pride left to feel the need to not crawl across the passenger seat and access the wheel that way. But it was tempting.
    “You’re sorry?” He placed his hands on his slim hips with an arched eyebrow. “That harpy asked for my number three times, Lore. Three!”
    She mirrored his position, not letting her weakness for him cow her. “Did you tell her no?”
    “You think that stopped her? I told you, telling these women no only makes it worse.”
    “You should just bring Mr. Roscoe with you to your classes and have him act as a bodyguard. They’ll take the hint, then.” She reached around him to toss her yoga mat into the backseat, hoping he would take the hint that she really did need to leave.
    Kieran smiled at her use of the formal tone. “Stop calling him that. Nolan, his name is Nolan. Say it with me. Sexy, sexy Nolan.”
    “Kieran, who cares what I call Mr. Roscoe ?” she asked with an exasperated huff, exhausted by the class and even more so by his refusal to leave her alone. “We know each other in a professional capacity, aside from the times we’ve bumped into one another.” She leaned against the car and looked up into his eyes, knowing she would need the support of the vehicle to keep her knees from melting. Damn him. “It wouldn’t be appropriate. Especially since I will most likely have to meet with him again regarding the case.”
    “How is becoming friends with someone inappropriate?” He shook his head, clasping her shoulders and beginning a slow and methodical massage. Oh hell, she was gonna come just from his touch in the middle of a damn yoga studio parking lot. “How are you this tense after a yoga class?”
    “I’m always tense.” Don’t close your eyes. Don’t close your eyes.
    “I can see that.” His head tilted curiously to the side as one hand rose to her nape, rubbing it with the same, sensual rhythm.
    “You’re not the first person to tell me I’m tense.” She pushed his hands off, knowing she was about to break and attack him with a fervor that would put the yoga instructor’s advances to shame. “Now if you don’t mind, I really need to get going.”
    He grasped her hands, his warm and roughened skin encompassing her smaller hands with ease. “Come over to our place tonight. I’ll cook you my famous butternut squash lasagna rolls. The sweet yet savory flavor will make you feel so sated you’ll loosen up instantly.”
    “Thank you, Kieran. That is very sweet of you. Like I said, I really do have plans for this evening.” At least she wasn’t lying about that. She had been putting the upcoming challenge off for far too long.
    He bit his bottom lip playfully, detrimentally bringing her attention to his supple mouth before asking, “Well, how about we take you to dinner sometime this week, then?”
    She had to laugh at that a little. His persistence was impressive if confusing. “I don’t understand this need you clearly feel to feed me. You and your partner both, apparently. Do I look like I’m starving?”
    “Not partner, boyfriend, and we just want to get to know you,” Kieran said with a well-meaning shrug.
    “Just your boyfriend? Skirting the commitment line, hmm?”
    “Oh, no, you wicked minx!” Kieran chuckled with a poke to her ribs. “Don’t go turning the conversation around. This is about you coming to our place for dinner or letting us take you out. Yes or no?”
    “Why are you so keen to know me better?”
    “You fascinate us.” As if his explanation was the most natural response in the world, he smiled down at her, a simple smile that could have fed the