No Strings Attached Read Online Free PDF Page B

seconds, then said, “You’re right. It’s not what I want.
     But I also don’t want a relationship. I don’t want any strings. I don’t want to get
     involved with someone.”
    “Neither do I. That’s why you and me are perfect for this.”
    He didn’t know why he hadn’t suggested it before, other than he figured she’d already
     been having sex.
    Five years? That’s a long damn time to go without. Then again, he knew nothing about
     love, or grieving for someone you’d lost. He’d never loved anyone, or lost anyone
     he cared about. Maybe it did take that long. He knew Ella had loved James. And it
     just wasn’t right when someone that young died. But it happened. He’d seen it happen
     all the time, especially in their business. There were no guarantees.
    “I do trust you.”
    It meant a lot to him that she did. And okay, maybe he wanted to get in her pants—had
     wanted to for a couple years now. He wasn’t bothered by James’s memory. He and James
     had been friends. But James was long gone now. And Ella had a right to a life. She
     hadn’t died.
    “I’m glad you do. And you know I won’t try to tie you down with any relationship when
     it’s over. You go back to your job and I’ll go back to mine. And we’ll never talk
     about it again.”
    “Yes.” She blew out a breath. “That would be perfect.”
    “But while we’re here, we can have one hell of a good time, Ella.”
    “You’re right. We could.” She took a deep breath. “Okay, then. Let’s do it.”

    Ella wasn’t sure how this was going to play out, but now that Clay had offered, the
     thought of getting him naked was first on her list of things to do.
    “Come on.” He stood, held out his hand for her. She slipped her hand in his and followed
     him. He walked back inside the club and Ella bit back the disappointment, which turned
     out to be only momentary as he walked through the double doors and outside.
    “Thank God,” she said. “I thought you were going to drag me on the dance floor.”
    Clay laughed. “Not a chance. I can’t dance for shit.”
    She arched a brow as they strolled along the walkway between the club and the condo.
     “I’m going to have to see that.”
    “No, you really aren’t.”
    “That bad, huh?”
    “That bad.”
    “You’ve shattered my illusions. I thought you were perfect.” She liked that he didn’t
     stride fast, instead strolled along at a slow pace so she could keep up with him.
     In her work boots, she’d have no problem. In these heels? She’d have to run.
    Once back at the condo complex, he took her up in the elevator to the top floor, then
     used his key to enter his suite.
    “Suite, huh? Well, aren’t you special?”
    He tilted toward her as he pushed the door open and flipped on the light. “I like
     Hawaii. And as we know, property is a good investment.”
    Investment. Hell. It was a palace. Twice the size, at least, of her condo. Spacious
     and open, with lots of windows and doors overlooking the ocean. “Just leave me here.
     Don’t tell anyone you saw me. They’ll never notice I’m missing.”
    He laughed and opened the sliding-glass door. A breeze blew the curtains inward. “Bullshit.
     You run that company with an iron fist. Your lazy crew would revolt if they thought
     their leader was gone.”
    “My lazy crew?” She arched a brow and put her hands on her hips. “My crew can work
     circles around yours.”
    He moved toward her. “You field a bunch of pussies and you know it.”
    He was teasing her. She liked it. He’d never once treated her with kid gloves—not
     even right after James had died. And that was exactly what she’d needed—someone to
     drive her to get in there and do the job. That was what James would have expected
     from her. That was what Clay expected from her. She’d adored him for that, for not
     coddling her and holding her hand other than showing her the ropes of the business.
    She glared at him. “When we get back to work next