Discovering You Read Online Free PDF

determined not to do anything that might make it hard again. Intrigued though he was with his new neighbor, he’d be better off moving on to other prospects.
    â€œYou’ve been through a lot of changes,” he said. “But I’m sure things will eventually improve.” That was a throwaway statement. He was backing off and letting her have her secrets and her space. Considering what his mother had done and how it had affected his whole family, he had no desire to get involved with an emotionally inaccessible woman. He wasn’t about to try to break down what he considered a locked door.
    When India glanced over, he could tell she’d noticed the change in his tone. That glance was filled with uncertainty, and maybe a tinge of regret. She understood that he’d disengaged; he could see it in her face. It surprised him that she didn’t seem completely convinced she wanted that. But what else could he do? She was the one who’d thrown up barriers.
    â€œYou’re quiet,” she said at length.
    Now that he no longer had any romantic interest to distract him from his injuries, he discovered that his leg, his mouth, his hands—almost every part of his body—hurt like hell. He needed to take a shower, swallow some pain pills and fall into bed. “It’s late. I’m not in the best shape. And there’s not much to say.”
    â€œI may not be open to a relationship. I’m still in love with Charlie. I hope we can be friends, though.”
    That was direct, but he’d been direct with her. He preferred open communication, didn’t see any reason to play games. “Of course.”
    â€œI’m sincere. I could use a friend.”
    He shrugged. “Sure, we’ll be friends and neighbors.”
    That must’ve sounded trite, because she frowned, apparently not pleased by his response.
    Bed , he told himself. He needed sleep. This woman was sending him mixed signals. She said she was still in love with her late husband and yet she kept looking at him as if...well, as if she liked what she saw. How was he supposed to react to that if she wouldn’t give him a chance?
    As soon as she pulled into his drive, he reached for the door handle.
    â€œRod?”
    When he looked back, she seemed about to speak.
    â€œYes?” he prompted.
    She pressed her thumbnails into the padded steering wheel. “Maybe if...if you’re not too tired, you should come over to my place.”
    â€œRight now?”
    When she raised her eyes, she seemed nervous—but she nodded.
    â€œWhat for?” he asked.
    She kept making those indentations in her steering wheel. “Well, I’ve got some salve and bandages. I could help get the dirt and gravel out of your leg.”
    Except she’d just told him she wasn’t interested. What the hell? “It’s okay, I’ll manage.”
    She caught his arm. “You could—” her voice fell to a whisper “—shower at my place.”
    He stared down at her pale hand against his darker skin. “I thought you didn’t want to be with me.”
    Releasing his arm, she looked away. “I never said that.”
    â€œYou shut me down. Immediately. I let you know I was interested, that I wanted to take you out, and got a no.”
    She went back to making those marks in the steering wheel. “Because I’m not available for a relationship. I think it’s important to be honest about that up front.”
    â€œSo what’s this about?” He peered at her a little more closely. “Sex?”
    Her nails dug deeper. “No! I just thought...maybe we could get to know each other a little better.”
    â€œThen this isn’t about sex. You want me to shower at your place...as a friend? For company or something?”
    â€œSort of. I guess we could...talk.”
    They’d been talking. He didn’t believe that was what she had in mind. But whatever she was