Can't Let Go. Gena Showalter

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СКАЧАТЬ would act like the girl he’d first met. The one who’d enjoyed sniping at him.

      “I am parched,” he finally said. “I’d like to drink the tears of my enemies.”

      A laugh burst from her, her features glowing with amusement. “I’m out of tears. How about sweet tea?”

      He gave a brusque nod. “Thanks.”

      Motions fluid, she filled his glass then lifted a small plastic tub from behind the bar. A tub she opened and sat in front of him, revealing a club sandwich and hand-cut fries.

      Had she reserved both for him?

      “Eat now, and later,” she said, and he realized yes, yes she had.

      The ache returned to his chest. “I’m not hungry.” Not for food. Not for anything, he told himself.

      “Eat anyway,” she insisted. “Boss’s orders. You worked through lunch.”

      She’d noticed?

      The ache worsened. “Fine.” Determined to end the conversation, he bit into the sandwich—and groaned. The flavors were incredible. She’d used strawberry jam instead of mayo and the combination of salty and sweet blew his ever-loving mind. “This is good. Thank you.”

      “You’re welcome.” She flattened her hand over his in what should be a simple, friendly gesture. With her, it was a sensual assault, more than his long neglected body could tolerate. “If you ever want another sandwich, it’s called the Do Me Baby One More Time.”

      Yes. I’ll do her so—

      Wrong.

      Inhaling sharply, he yanked his hand from hers and flattened his palm on his thigh.

      This was Ryanne. A flirt. Born seducer. Good time girl. But...if ever she’d followed through on her come-hither glances, he didn’t know it. What he did know? He’d escorted a Blueberry Hill resident from the building for calling her a “slut.” Afterward he’d ejected three guys for trying to pick her up. She had no idea he’d done it, and he refused to think about his reasons. Although his mind was more than happy to provide a suggestion: falling for her...

      Sometimes his mind was a dumb-ass.

      Jude would resist Ryanne. If he had to pick another woman to do so, he would. Anyone but Ryanne Wade.

      Thousands of curses suddenly bellowed inside his head. He wasn’t interested in a one-night stand, or a long-term relationship, and he damn sure wasn’t willing to risk an unplanned pregnancy. Children would never be part of his life. No children, no possibility of loss.

      In fact, he should make an appointment with a urologic surgeon and have a vasectomy. Then, if ever he had a moment of weakness, he wouldn’t have to worry.

      The food in his stomach seemed to turn to lead. He pushed the Tupperware away, saying, “I’ve had enough.”

      Ryanne sighed, the enchantress persona evaporating like smoke, leaving a concerned...friend? “You’ve been working so hard but eating so little.”

      “Don’t worry. I won’t fall down on the job.” He’d lost his appetite years ago and now fueled himself with protein shakes.

      “That’s not—Never mind. Why don’t you take the night off? You can nap upstairs with Belle.”

      “I don’t nap.”

      “Ever?”

      “Ever.” He rarely slept at all. When he did, he dreamed of the car wreck he hadn’t witnessed, watching, helpless, as Constance’s SUV rolled over at least a dozen times, glass and metal shards cutting at his girls.

      “I’m sorry.” Ryanne’s nails lightly scraped the pulse in his wrist, jolting him from his heartbreak.

      Damn it! When had he placed his hands back on the bar? “Don’t be.”

      “If you don’t want to eat, how about you give me a compliment instead?”

      “I’m not in the mood to be nice.”

      Rather than leaving him alone, as he’d hoped, she studied him with compassion in her beautiful dark eyes. “Is your leg paining you?”

      He scowled. Was she making excuses for his waspishness, or had she watched him so intently, she’d recognized the signs of his distress? “Be honest. You’re trying to make me squirm again, aren’t you, Wade?”

      “Wade?” She snorted. “Let me guess. By using my last name, you put a little emotional distance between us.”

      Yes. Exactly. Nicknames mattered, created a bond. He’d rather die than create a bond with Ryanne.

      He’d called Constance “sweetheart” and his girls “Daddy’s little sweets.” He’d settled arguments about who could ride an imaginary pony first. He’d fielded questions about where babies came from when the girls were far too young to ask about such things, and battled monsters in the closet.

      When I grow up, I’m gonna be a mom. Bailey had grinned a mischievous grin. Moms are the boss of everyone.

      Well, I’m gonna be a dad. Hailey had hugged him. Dads are nice to everyone.

      Even when I’m a big girl, I’m gonna love you best, Daddy.

      My friend Sally doesn’t have a dad. Will you be her dad, Daddy? I told her you build the biggest fort-castles in the world.

      He remembered the day the girls threw pennies in the wishing well.

      “What did you wish for?” he’d asked.

      Bailey had gazed at him adoringly. “I wished for you to be handsome, Daddy.”

      He’d tried not to laugh. “Thanks, little sweet. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”

      “I wished for you to stay home forever, Daddy, and never leave again,” Hailey had said.

      He rubbed the sudden burn from his eyes, then pinched the bridge of his nose.

      He didn’t like that Ryanne had guessed his intent. But then, he shouldn’t be surprised that she’d done so. The woman had a knack for reading people.

      “Well.” She fluffed her fall of ebony hair. “Aren’t you precioso.” Her sassy tone somehow contained both a Spanish and Southern accent. “By the way, I’m calling you cowboy because you always look like you’re ready for a ride.”

      Walk away. Walk away now. No good can come from this conversation.

      He stood, but remained rooted in place. Her gaze slid down his chest, making him regret—and extol—his immobility.

      “Jude, wait!” Lyndie raised her hand like a student in class. “Dorothea, uh, she has a question for you.”

      “I do?” Dorothea asked, then cleared her throat. “I mean, yep, I do.”

      Not СКАЧАТЬ