Pursued by the Rogue (The Fairy Tales of New York Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

then and now,” he said.
    “Yes. A lot of years.”
    Moving on. “It’s the same jazz club. They gave me my first break and for that I stay loyal. They do good barbeque wings and dirty blues and I’m heading there this Saturday night. You want to keep me company?”
    He didn’t need the extended silence on the other end of the phone to know that this wasn’t going well.
    “Finn?” She sounded hesitant. “Why are you doing this?”
    “You are the second person today to question my motives.”
    “Motivation’s important.”
    “How about I say that I saw you again the other day and I wanted you all over again. I’m a free agent so I’m following up on that response. Is that motivation enough?”
    More silence. So much for honesty.
    And then, “It’s not that I’m not flattered by your invitation, because I am,” she said quietly, and there was that wistful note in her voice again that he didn’t know how to interpret. “But I have motivations too and you need to know them. If I meet up with you it won’t be because I’m looking for a relationship. The only reason I date at all is because I like sex. I like sex a lot. I probably have you to blame for that.”
    So. Well. “And this is meant to put me off ?”
    She laughed, albeit reluctantly. “It’s meant to give you fair warning as to who I am and what I want. I’m a bad bet if you’re looking for a relationship that’s going to lead anywhere. I tell everyone this up front and not as a challenge. I don’t like disappointing people. I don’t want to waste anyone’s time.”
    “Do people see it as a challenge anyway?”
    “Some do,” she offered dryly. “It usually takes them around two dates to figure out that I’m unlikely to change my mind. That’s two dates too long.”
    “So … just sex, no ties.”
    “Smart man.”
    “Is there any kind of general affection involved?”
    “Yes. That as well. There can definitely be friendship involved.”
    “I can work with that.” He was sure of it. “Come out to dinner with me on Saturday night.”
    “I have a fundraising dinner to go to. Part networking, part business deal. There’s no escaping it.”
    He noted she didn’t ask him along. “Coffee late Sunday morning, then. I have rehearsal all Sunday afternoon. We can aim for a breakfast place I know in Little Italy.”
    “Finn—”
    “Say yes. I’ve heard your warning. I’m still interested. Music demands a lot of me. More than most lovers are willing to put up with. Sounds to me as if you might understand.”
    Silence.
    “One last question.” And it wasn’t just because ego demanded it. He wanted to hear her speak without warning. He wanted to hear an unqualified yes. “Do you ever think about what happened between us at my brother’s party all those years ago?”
    “Sometimes I do.”
    Not quite the unqualified yes he’d been hoping for. “I remember your mouth on mine, driving me clear out of my mind. I couldn’t get enough of it, enough of you. I remember tightness and heat and trying desperately not to hurt you. I barely knew what I was doing. Neither did you.”
    “You didn’t hurt me,” she whispered. “We did okay.”
    “We did better than okay.”
    Silence. Heavy and waiting.
    Finn smiled and moved in for the kill. “Imagine what we could do if we practiced.”
    “Finn—”
    There was only one word he wanted to hear, and that wasn’t it. “Have breakfast with me on Sunday,” he pressed. “I agree to your terms. No ties. Friendship only. Let’s add good food into the mix. Sunshine if we’re lucky. A smile or two. But I need to hear a yes from you. One that doesn’t come with reservations.”
    “All right,” she said faintly. “Yes.”
    “Louder,” he murmured.
    “Yes,” she said more firmly but it still lacked a little something. Like enthusiasm.
    “Still not feeling it.”
    “Yes! What do you want? The When Harry Met Sally version?”
    Well he did now . “See you Sunday, Dawn. Feel free to