Ulterior Motives Read Online Free PDF

after I found out? The part where I wondered why you hadn’t been honest with me? The part where—”
    He took her chin in his hand and forced her face up. His blue eyes were intense and his voice was low when he said, “I’m talking about the instant attraction between us and then very real pleasure we took in each other’s company yesterday.”
    His touch was electric. His eyes were compelling. His voice burned straight through her, setting off little reactions deep in her belly.
    “You misled me,” she said shakily. “You’re going to try to undermine my business. Why on earth should I trust you?”
    “I’m not asking you to trust me, not yet, anyhow. Just to talk to me.” He didn’t plead or cajole; he simply asked, and the effect was devastating on Shelley’s system. She forgot what very sensible thing she had planned to say next.
    “I... Um... You...”
    “Let me in so we can talk about this,” he whispered, his eyes holding hers.
    He smelled so good, she thought irrelevantly; it wasn’t cologne or soap, just a clean, musky, male smell. Wordlessly she backed into the apartment while he followed her. He closed the door behind them and looked around the room. It suddenly seemed very intimate to have him here, and she hoped he would like it.
    “It’s like you,” he said, obviously meaning it as a compliment. “Is that coffee I smell?”
    Shelley nodded. “Would you like some?”
    “I’d love some. I take it black.”
    She brought him a big colorful mug filled to the brim. His eyes were soft as he took it from her hands. He looked even better today than he had yesterday, casually dressed in tight blue jeans, a pale shirt, and a black leather jacket. His jet-black hair was windblown.
    “You left the top down,” she said suddenly.
    “I promised, didn’t I?” he said with a smile. “We’ll be lucky if we don’t catch pneumonia, though.”
    Shelley looked wistfully out the window. “I’m tempted, Ross, but I just don’t think we should pursue this any further. It just wouldn’t be intelligent. Or responsible.”
    “Shelley,” he said firmly, “I didn’t know who you were until you told me. And I’m not interested in you in the hope that you’ll let your guard down and say something I can use against you.”
    He looked so honest and strong. But he had looked that way yesterday, too. Maybe it was just a gift of bone structure.
    “Shelley...” he prodded.
    He was irresistible, which made her question her judgment in this case. She wanted to be with him enough to talk herself into anything.  
    “Not today,” she said at last. “I have to think about this.”
    Ross saw the determination in her eyes and realized that was the best answer he would get for now. At least she hadn’t told him never to darken her door again.
    He let out his breath in a rush and put his coffee cup down in a graceful motion. Everything he did looked good, Shelley thought distractedly. It wasn’t fair. He crossed the room swiftly. Before she knew what was happening, she was in his arms.
    Ross lost himself in her eyes, which were warm and soft with confusion. “If you want time, you’ve got it. But I’ll be thinking of you,” he said huskily as he lowered his mouth to hers.
    It wasn’t the tender caress of yesterday. It wasn’t an affectionate embrace. And it certainly wasn’t a respectable ten-o’clock-in-the-morning kiss. His kiss was hot, passionate, and erotic. His tongue tickled her lips, then plunged without warning into her mouth to stroke and taste and explore. He shifted her against him, so that their hips pressed close together while his mouth continued to pillage hers. His hands came down and stroked her bottom with a slow, firm caress that pulled her even closer. All Shelley saw was swirling black. All she heard was the sound of their mingled breath. All she felt was the hot pleasure of his touch, his kiss, his strong body against hers. All she thought was, sweet, sweet, oh, that’s so