Beginning Again: Book 1 in the Second Chances series (Crimson Romance) Read Online Free PDF Page B

good at it, all right?” She avoided his eyes, putting her head back on the couch and staring at the ceiling. “There’s no point in going any further because it’ll be awful for you and then I’ll be embarrassed and feel like a failure and we’ll never be able to have a decent conversation about anything ever again and … ”
    “You’re no good at it … at what, exactly?”
    She sighed and closed her eyes, hoping she could get it out without having to look at him. “At what you want. I’m … I don’t know … lacking in skills, grace. Whatever it takes to be a good lover, I don’t have it. I never have. So it’s better not to even … ”
    “Who the hell told you that?”
    Her eyes flew open and she finally looked at him. “No one had to tell me. It’s been obvious.”
    “So … what … you don’t like sex?”
    “Of course I like sex. It’s nice. Sex is nice.”
    “Babe, sex can be hot and sweaty or breathtaking and amazing, sometimes it’s off the charts sensational or even fun, but it sure as hell isn’t nice. Tea parties are nice. If that’s what your experience has been … ”
    “That’s what I’m trying to say. I’m bad at it.”
    “More likely you’ve been with men who didn’t know what they were doing.”
    “And, of course, you do.”
    “You won’t know until you try, will you?”
    She shook her head. “You are the most arrogant, conceited, egotistical man I’ve ever met. Is there anything you don’t think you do well?”
    “We can have a discussion of my character flaws another time. Tonight, we’re talking about you.” He smiled. “Hell, I thought you were going to tell me you had a contagious disease or were dying or belonged to some religion that requires celibacy. What you’re talking about is just a little delusion. We can take care of that.” He furrowed his brow, as if considering how to accomplish the task.
    “A delusion? I’m deluded? Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to tell you that? And you brush it off as a delusion.” She sat up straight with her arms crossed over her chest. She was sure fire was shooting out of her ears or maybe her nostrils. “And I’m not something you ‘take care of.’ I’m not a project.”
    “God, no, you’re not. You’re a beautiful woman who found the switch to turn me on the first time she looked at me, but who thinks she’s frigid or something.”
    “I didn’t say I was frigid. I said I was inept. And is this your idea of no pressure? This is about as high pressure as … as … I can’t even think of anything that’s as high pressure as this conversation is.” She put her glass down on the coffee table. “This was not a good idea.” She moved away from him, perched on the edge of the couch for a moment, and started to get up.
    He took her hand to stop her. “Wait. I’m sorry. I’m pushing when I promised not to.”
    “It’s too late. I think the evening’s over.”
    “But we haven’t had dinner yet.”
    “Dinner? After this conversation?”
    “Aren’t you hungry? I am. That hot dog we had at the zoo wasn’t very much.” He kissed the back of her hand. “Come on, Liz. I know you want to try this restaurant. I hear it’s great. Don’t take it out on the poor restaurant because I’ve been an idiot.”
    She shook off his touch. “You are the most maddening man — person — I’ve ever met. Why do I keep giving in to you?”
    He shrugged. “My mother says I’m cute. Maybe that’s it.”
    • • •
    The restaurant was everything they’d both heard it to be — trendy, expensive, and good. When they arrived, the owner, Tom Webster, after ascertaining that the Collins on the reservation list was indeed the well-known sculptor, welcomed them and brought them a bottle of wine compliments of the house. Webster was a tall, good-looking man who oozed fake charm. At least that’s what Liz thought. She might have been influenced by the way he hovered over Collins, ignoring her. When he