Loving Mr. July Read Online Free PDF Page B

commitment was a commitment.
    She still seethed over his comment from the
morning. Did he really think she would bring other guys to his
house? He hardly knew her, why would he think that?
    Granted, she had been a little too free with
her favors in the past. Her counselor, when she finally got the
courage to go to one, had told her that was often the case with
child abuse victims. She had made her peace with it as best she
could a number of years ago.
    With the help of good friends and excellent
counseling, she had grown to respect herself more. But that didn’t
mean she couldn’t still engage in friendly flirtation. She liked
men. Liked their easy way of kidding each other, the way they
looked, the way they felt.
    Had he heard of her past reputation somehow?
The worry grew into a knot in her stomach. She took a breath and
tried to calm herself. He’d only met her recently. And they hadn’t
run in the same circles. He couldn’t possibly have known, she told
herself.
    “Trying to kill the keyboard?” Sharon put the
day’s receipts on the office desk. “And who is the black look
for?”
    “Ever feel the urge to do someone bodily
harm?” Cynthia sat back in the office chair, stretching her arms
behind her back.
    “On more than one occasion,” Sharon replied
without hesitation. “And it was usually some guy.” She moved a
stack of files off the second office chair so she could sit down.
“What gives?”
    “Blake sort of cornered Kurt into doing the
calendar, right?”
    “And for that you want to do him bodily
harm?” Sharon raised one eyebrow. “Think I might have something to
say about that.”
    Cynthia smiled despite her pique. “How would
you feel about losing a brother-in-law?”
    “I don’t understand. I thought you were
thrilled to have him be the last minute fill in.” Sharon’s brow
creased. “And Blake told me Kurt didn’t seem that upset about
it.”
    “That’s because he doesn’t blame you.”
Cynthia toyed with her pen, trying to decide how much to tell
Sharon. “He thinks I set you guys up to the whole company
newsletter thing. And he wants me to pay.”
    “Seriously?”
    Cynthia nodded, and decided to tell Sharon
about Kurt’s requirements.
    By the end of the story, Sharon’s mouth gaped
open. “And you agreed? I know you’re dedicated to the foundation,
but come on!”
    “What was I going to do?” Cynthia stood up,
started pacing, wincing a little from the stiffness in her legs. “I
need him. He wouldn’t do it otherwise.”
    “You believe that.” Sharon said flatly. She
looked incredulous.
    “You didn’t see him, Sharon.” Cynthia
described their meeting in the barn the previous evening. “I’ve
never seen the guy mad like that. You know how he’s usually
charming.” Then again, she thought to herself, this morning he
hadn’t been so charming either.
    Sharon nodded. “Never seen him in a bad mood.
Blake tells me Kurt can be ruthless, but it’s hard for me to
picture.”
    “Well I seem to bring out the worst in
him.”
    “He must really like you.” Sharon’s eyes
sparkled.
    “Oh please, what are we, back in kindergarten
now? The guy that picks on you does it because he likes you?”
Cynthia tossed the pen onto the desk. “I’d like to think I’ve moved
beyond stupid.”
    “I don’t mean like that.” Sharon waved her
off. “It’s just that Kurt is sort of unflappably pleasant to most
people. And it’s genuine. Even though he doesn’t suffer fools well,
he gives people benefit of the doubt. But when he really cares
about something, he’s way more passionate.”
    Cynthia snorted. “The guy can have his pick
of women. He’s not passionate about me, I guarantee you that.
Although after a few days of Carl’s initial recipes, he’s going to
feel passionate all right. Passionate about how much he wants me to
go away.” She grinned at Sharon.
    “I so wish I could be a fly on the wall.”
    “I’ll give you a full report,” Cynthia said,
giving Sharon