One Daring Night Read Online Free PDF Page A

request.”
    “Because you’re such an open book?”
    “Exactly. Let me see. Never-before-revealed secret…hmmm…”
    She waited patiently, delighted he was being so open with her. She would have to instigate this honesty-only policy on all future dates. It was refreshing, fun.
    “Okay. I’ve got one, but you’re not allowed to laugh.”
    “Hate to make a promise like that. Because when someone starts with that comment, they usually follow it up with some pretty funny shit.”
    He rolled his eyes, but continued without her promise. “Within the first twenty minutes of The Notebook , I was sobbing like a baby. But if you tell anyone that, I’ll deny ever watching that damn chick flick.”
    She giggled. “Wow. I don’t think I would have told that one if I was you. Sort of spoils this whole manly-man thing you’ve got going.”
    “Thanks for not laughing.”
    She shrugged unapologetically. “Gave no promises.” Then she added, “Don’t worry about it. Everyone cries during that movie. I think it’s actually in the rules somewhere you have to bawl your eyes out anytime you watch something written by Nicholas Sparks.”
    “Good to know.” He pointed at her. “Okay. Your turn.”
    “I didn’t promise tit for tat.”
    Eric’s eyes drifted south. “Please, for the love of all that’s holy, don’t say tit to me right now. I’m having a hard enough time being a gentleman and keeping my eyes on your face.”
    She looked down, then leaned forward a little, exposing the tiniest bit more of her cleavage. It felt like years since she’d flirted—actually it had been years—and Eric was easy to tease. “What? These little old things.”
    He narrowed his eyes, well aware of her game. He moved closer as well, his voice lowering. “I’m not the kind of man you want to tease, Joni.”
    She licked her lips, feeling for the first time that her actions were less joke and more invitation. Somewhere in the last few minutes, tonight had stopped being about nursing her broken heart and more about exploring some unknown, but very tempting new territory. “I…” She had no idea what to say.
    Eric saved her from trying. “Tell me your secret.”
    Joni’s response came quickly and with very little thought. “I’m not all that upset about what Jeff did. I mean…I’m really pissed off, but it’s not so much that he hurt me as much as he wounded my pride. That’s bad, isn’t it? I was seriously planning to marry this guy, but now…”
    “Now it would appear he saved you from yourself.”
    She nodded, liking how succinctly he’d summed up her feelings. “Exactly.”
    “How long did the two of you date?” Eric asked.
    “Three years.”
    “Why were you with him?”
    She lifted one shoulder. “It was easy.”
    Eric snorted lightly. “And I thought my commitment issues were fucked up.”
    She narrowed her eyes, though she took no offense. He’d opened a door and she wanted to peek inside, learn more about him. “How so?”
    “I’ve never dated a woman more than three months. And the only reason that one lasted so long is because I was out of town for business at least five weeks’ worth of those months.”
    “Sorry to say this, but if we’re comparing, you’re way more fucked up than me.”
    He reached over and tugged her hair. “Thanks for spelling that out for me. Hence tonight’s vow. I’ve decided it’s time to turn over a new leaf.”
    “I didn’t start the evening with that intention, but it looks like I’m getting a fresh start on life too.”
    “That calls for a drink.” Eric got the bartender’s attention. Once they were refilled, they lifted glasses with little fanfare.
    The tequila was starting to go down a lot easier, the burn of the alcohol growing less with each subsequent shot. That wasn’t good. She wasn’t much of a drinker, which meant this wasn’t going to end well. But she had a hard time caring at the moment. The hangover would be tomorrow’s problem.
    “So give