Secrets of the Playboy's Bride Read Online Free PDF Page A

that you wouldn’t understand. I’ll leave in the morning,” she said and turned away from him to walk back to the house. She crossed her arms over her chest, feeling the impending crush of defeat. Holding off on sex had been a calculated risk, but Calista had suspected that it would be difficult to motivate Leo to marry her quickly unless she waited.
    Three seconds later, she felt her hand caught by his. “Not so fast,” he said.
    She stopped in surprise, searching his face.
    “The least you can do is give me a chance to change your mind. Or see if you can change mine,” he said.
    Her heart racing a mile a minute, she shook her head. “I don’t want to deceive you. I heard you talking earlier. You hate to be tricked. Again, it’s best if I leave in the morning.”
    He lifted her hand to his mouth. “I’m not disappointed, or feeling tricked. I’m just surprised. Your outlook is unusual.”
    “I know, but I’ve watched so many of my friends make poor choices and wish they could take everything back. It’s about more than the physical intimacy. I just think I’m one of those women who jumps all the way into the poolof commitment. I totally understand if you’re not looking for that. Most men aren’t.” She added that last statement to spur his competitive nature. Leo wouldn’t want to be compared to another man.
    “I’m not most men,” he said. “I’ll show you to your guest room and we’ll see how it goes.”
    She opened her mouth to tell him she had judged him correctly, but he covered her mouth with his finger. “I insist,” he said in the sexiest voice she’d ever heard.
     
    After Leo led Calista to the guest bedroom, he prowled his balcony, still aroused from the way she’d tasted, smelled and felt in his arms. He couldn’t remember a time when a woman had turned him away from her bed. Although she’d done it without malice, it didn’t diminish his sexual frustration. In fact, her desire not to manipulate him aroused him even more.
    Many women had tried to trick him into marriage. A few had even feigned signs of pregnancy, but Leo had been very careful. He had no interest in binding himself to just any woman. At least, he hadn’t until now. But he saw the advantage of linking himself with Calista. She was pure. She represented a fresh start.
    Glancing out at the still lake, he considered taking a dip in the frigid water to quiet the heat Calista had generated in him and the longings he’d buried long ago. Did he really want a family? Was such a thing possible for him? His upbringing had been one move after another. He’d never known when his guardian father would take out his rage on him. He’d spent so many years braced for something horrible to happen to him. And it had, several times until he’d run away.
    Leo wondered what it would be like to be loved by awoman like Calista. He sensed she was the kind of woman who would marry forever. Look at her commitment to her sisters. She possessed a strength that drew him like a light in the darkness.
    Was he considering marrying her? The notion shocked him. He barely knew her. Yet, he knew she was different. She’d known what it was like to be raised in a loving family—with relationships and ties she still worked to keep strong. She possessed the core of something he’d been searching for, for years.
    He raked his hand through his hair. It wasn’t just sex. He suspected he could seduce her into his bed despite her lofty goal. The sexual animal in him roared at the urge to take her, to make her his. He could and he suspected they would bring each other amazing pleasure.
    For some strange, insane reason, however, he hesitated seducing her for the pure purpose of his gratification. It wasn’t out of consideration for her principles. No. Her reticence called to his competitive nature. He wanted her to be convinced that he was the man she wanted. The man she couldn’t turn down. He wanted her to come to him.
     
    The next morning after