Read Beginning Again: Book 1 in the Second Chances series (Crimson Romance) for Free Online Page A

clearly counted me in that group — got a third of his estate. He’d done well from the books he’d written and invested wisely, so I had a modest financial cushion at a young age.”
    “What’d you do?”
    “I got a job with the development department at the county art museum and hid there for five years or so while I took a few classes every semester until I finished my degree. Never really dated anyone until I met Mason Fairchild at a museum fundraiser a few months after I’d graduated. Six months later, we were married.”
    “Please don’t tell me he was twenty-five years older than you.”
    “No, only ten.”
    “And you loved each other?”
    “Yes, in some ways we still do. We had a good marriage, I thought. Well, I wanted kids and he didn’t, but then I had surgery and couldn’t anyway so … ” She held up her hand to ward off the question she knew was coming. “Before you ask, what happened was, early this year he came out of the closet and went off with a younger guy.”
    Collins didn’t say anything, just took her hand and stroked it with his thumb. The display of silent tenderness brought a few sudden tears that she blinked back hard before continuing. “I was married to two good men and it didn’t work with either of them, in any way. Obviously, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing when it comes to men. So I’m done. Besides, at my age … ”
    “You’re a beautiful, smart, sexy woman. Of any age.”
    “Sexy? When the men I’ve been with didn’t care to have sex with me? Really?”
    “And this conclusion is based on what … ? Your extensive survey of men, which consists of a husband twice your age who viewed you as a child and a closeted gay man? Or are you hiding a laundry list of other lovers?”
    She looked across the table at him, expecting to see amusement or ridicule. Instead she saw what she’d seen before. Affection. Attraction. Something that frightened her but she didn’t know why. “It doesn’t matter anyway. I have no intention of getting close enough to rely on any man for anything other than a social conversation. It’s too complicated.”
    “Complicated but fun.”
    She motioned to the waiter for the check. “Fun is getting my art gallery in shape for the opening. And I have to get back to that tomorrow. So I think I’ll call it a night.”
    Collins snagged the check from the waiter before she could. “Can I help you do whatever you need to do?”
    “Thanks, but I have someone working with me. He’ll be in tomorrow.”
    “I thought you weren’t going to rely on a man again.” His sly smile was back.
    “He’s an exception. Besides, even if I was his type, he’s unavailable.”

Chapter 5
    The ride home was quiet, Collins intent on driving, Liz trying to anticipate what his next move would be. She was sure there would be one.
    She was right. When they got to her apartment, before she could get out of the car, he patted down various pockets as if looking for something. “I think I left my phone upstairs. Mind if I go up with you and look for it? And maybe we can finish the bottle of not-champagne.”
    “Tell me where you think you left it and I’ll go look. And I’ve had enough wine tonight, thanks.”
    “Then, how about a cup of coffee or something? That won’t ruin your schedule for tomorrow, will it?”
    She didn’t answer immediately, torn, she had to admit, between wanting him to stay, willing him to go, and not understanding why she had both reactions within five seconds of each other. “A cup of coffee or something. For a half-hour. Then you’ll leave.”
    “I’m a big fan of ‘or something.’ And if you still want me to go after a half-hour, I will.”
    He followed her up the steps and into the kitchen. Before she could ask if he wanted decaf or regular, he pulled her into his arms, buried his face in her neck, and began kissing his way up to her mouth.
    “Collins, please … ” She half-heartedly pushed at his chest but he