Race to Redemption Read Online Free PDF Page A

slept with my fair share of women, it comes with the territory of my job.”
    “Just like getting into a packed club and lying about your name?”
    “My middle name is Michael. Does that make it any better?”
    “A little bit. Please, go on.”
    “Okay, when I saw you on the curb I thought you were sexy but I didn’t set out to seduce you. I’m tired of one night stands with women who don’t give a shit about me so I was planning just to go to the club, have a few beers, do a little dancing and head back alone. Then I saw you and thought ‘what the hell, why not be a gentleman for a change and show a girl a good time that doesn’t involve a bed’. And I’m not trying to drag you into some sort of creepy guilt-ride relationship by telling you all this.”
    “I’m not getting any creepy pervert vibes from you so stop worrying.”
    His smile was grateful. “You’re not like other girls, and it’s probably because you are from a small town. I got seduced by you, without you trying, and against my better judgement.”
    “I’m flattered. Mike, I wasn’t lying, I was very attracted to you and sex was looking like a great way to end a great night. But you are just about the sweetest, most respectful man I’ve ever met, even coming from a small town, so if you’re not interested in a one night stand what choice to I have but to respect that. Of course I’d like to get to know you better.”
    “You’re not just saying that to get me into bed?”
    “Just? No. But I’m holding out hope.”
    He returned her smile. “If you’re done your coffee we could head back to the hotel and get to know each other better.”
    “Is it okay to be physically attracted to each other now?”
    He nodded.
    “Then I think I’d like that very much.”
    * * * *
    They slipped unnoticed through the crowded lobby, holding hands. He took them up to the seventeenth floor but paused outside the room. “Are you sure about this?”
    She untangled her fingers from his and touched his face. “I’m sure.”
    His room was identical to hers, except for the prints on the wall. Her room had streetscapes of some European city—all cobblestone roads and brick-faced buildings at odd angles. His had some lovely rustic forest images that looked painted instead of photographed, though of course they were prints, not paintings. She was examining the one beside the bathroom door when he said, “I guess I can’t offer you a coffee.”
    She laughed. “No, I’ve exceeded my daily caffeine intake already.”
    “I have decaf.”
    “What’s the point in that? No, I’m good.”
    He took her in his arms and smiled down at her. “So, you don’t like decaf coffee.”
    “I don’t like non-fat yogurt or reduced salt potato chips either. If I’m going to indulge I like to go all out.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind,” he said, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
    “What about you?” she asked as she ran her hands down his chest. “Do you have any vices?”
    “Oh, I’m just your regular, run-of-the-mill, bad boy: dangerous, mysterious…”
    “Oooh, I’m so impressed,” she smirked.
    He kissed her and she melted in his arms. When he pulled back she said, “I could get used to that.”
    “Good.” In one smooth swift motion he scooped her up and carried her over to the bed while she giggled.
    “How romantic,” she said, stretching out on the bed.
    “You look like a pin-up girl.” He sat down next to her and caressed her face before leaning down and kissing her. She wrapped her arms around his neck moving the kiss towards passionate but he slipped free.
    “What’s wrong?”
    There was no impatience or irritation in her voice and after all his hesitating and stalling he certainly deserved both. He smiled at her, his heart softening a little more for this small town woman who was so unlike any of the women who had thrown themselves at him in the last two years. “Nothing’s wrong, Chloe. I just want to take my time getting to know every