Say No To Joe? Read Online Free PDF Page B

crossed her arms beneath her breasts. “That’s absurd and you know it. No, don’t argue with me. I have to be honest with myself here, too. I’m in over my head and I need your help. That means I have to pay you, just like anyone else would.”
    Joe scowled. “You want honesty, honey? Then I’ll give you honesty.”
    Because he wanted to be more upright for this confrontation, Joe shifted a little higher in the bed. It hurt to move—hell, it hurt to breathe—but it would hurt more to lose this opportunity. He wasn’t used to being celibate, and it sucked. He hated it. But damn it, he wanted Luna, not some other woman. She’d crawled under his skin three months ago, and having her there was like an interminable itch. It was driving him nuts.
    Once he was settled and could quit gritting his teeth, he gave Luna a dead-on look. “There’s something you should know.”
    Luna moved toward him with concern. “Joe, are you all right?” She had a hand stretched out to him.
    â€œI still want you.”
    She halted in midstep.
    â€œI’m not going to stop wanting you until I have you.”
    She took a step back.
    Just saying it turned Joe on. Her exotic eyes were wide, darkened with surprise; her lips parted. Joe’s voice dropped to a low rumble. “About a dozen times in a dozen different ways, Luna. And even that might not be enough.”
    Her mouth closed.
    Joe shrugged, though he felt far from cavalier. “I figured you should know.”
    The seconds ticked by; then in a chilling whisper, she said, “You’re making it a stipulation? I have to sleep with you if I want your help?”
    Now that pissed him off. “No. Hell no. I don’t need to force women into my bed.”
    â€œOh.” His tone had her blinking before she settled into another frown. “Then what exactly did you mean?”
    â€œI meant that I’m not going to stop trying. We’ll be playing house, babe, under the same roof, in close proximity. Believe me, I’m going to use that to my advantage.”
    Slowly, her smile appeared. “And you think I won’t be able to resist you? Oh, that’s too funny, Joe. You’ve got so much ego it’s falling out your ears.”
    Joe smiled, too. He did love a challenge. “So long as you don’t object to me giving it my best shot.”
    â€œThank you for the warning. I’ll be on my toes.” Still amused, she shook her head, picked up his dirty clothes, and sashayed out of the room. In the doorway, she stopped and looked at him over his shoulder. “I’m going to rustle you up something to eat. You look thinner to me. Then we’ll make plans on when to leave.”
    â€œThanks. I’m starved.”
    â€œNo, Joe, thank you.” Her smile now was genuine, softened with her relief. “I really do appreciate your willingness to help.”
    She appreciated him. Perfect, Joe thought. Things were working out just as he hoped.
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    Luna held her serene smile until she got out of sight. Then she groaned and swallowed hard. Beneath her breast, her heart thumped in heavy, exaggerated beats.
    Since meeting Joe Winston, her life had gone through some drastic upheavals. She didn’t like it. She didn’t like him.
    Liar.
    Part of the problem was that her basic nature rebelled against needing anyone. She lived her life to her exact specifications; she was independent, capable, mature and self-sufficient.
    Yet, she now needed Joe.
    As a feminist, she couldn’t abide men like Joe Winston. They saw women as weaker beings meant to be protected, sometimes cherished. But never as equals.
    Her body didn’t care.
    In her present situation, he was perfect for her, and so dangerous that she trembled whenever she thought of him. For three months now she’d wavered, wanting to call him, wanting to be with him. She went to sleep with him on her mind and woke