Read Reckless for Free Online Page B

released a frustrated huff as she raked her hands through her hair, trying to restore some order. “You don’t get it, do you? I don’t believe in mixing business with pleasure. I have a strict policy against dating my clients, and that includes you.”
    He took a step back, his eyes darkening. “That sounds an awful lot like a challenge.”
    “No.” She shook her head quickly to discourage his assumption. “That’s not what I meant at all.” She knew a man like Ty would approach a challenge with fierce determination and wouldn’t let anything, including her half-hearted protests, stand in his way.
    “Good, because I want you and I’ll be damned if I’m gonna let you use your job to keep me at arm’s length.”
    She saw in that moment the resolve that had helped him realize his dream of a record deal while millions of others with the same dream resigned themselves to their fate. He obviously had the grit and determination to succeed at anything he set his mind to, which terrified and excited her at the same time. “It’s not just the fact that you’re my client. I really don’t have time for a relationship right now. I have to be on call 24/7, in case I need...”
    He held his hand up. “Stop. I don’t wanna hear it. I get that your career’s important to you, I do. But that’s not gonna pick you up when you’re feelin’ down or hold you when you’re feelin’ scared.” He cupped her face and brushed his thumb over her bottom lip. “I’m the guy who’s gonna be there to do that, baby.”
    She was momentarily speechless. He was offering to do something no one had ever done before, take care of her. Even her parents hadn’t wanted to take on that responsibility. Instead, they’d paid cooks, nannies, and housekeepers to see to her needs as a child. “I don’t need you,” she whispered. “I don’t need anyone. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.”
    He smiled, looking sad. “Everyone needs someone to take care of them. I’m sorry if you haven’t had that before. You do now.”
    She felt a tear trickle down her cheek and quickly swiped it away. She didn’t believe in crying. It was a sign of weakness and she needed to be tough to survive in a male-dominated industry with men who saw her as just another pretty face instead of an Ivy League graduate. “You don’t even know me.”
    “That may be true, but I intend to get to know you, better than anyone ever has. I want to know your favorite movie, your favorite color, where you went to school...” He hesitated. “I wanna know why your parents abandoned you.”
    She gasped at his audacity. “My parents didn’t abandon me. I’ll have you know my father is a prominent surgeon and my mother is an esteemed psychologist who...”
    “It sounds like they should’ve been smart enough to know their daughter needed them.”
    She continued to swipe at the tears sliding down her cheeks. “You don’t know anything about my parents. How dare you make assumptions about my family.”
    He reached down to take her hands in his. “Sweetheart, no one’s family is perfect, sure as hell not mine. But family’s about bein’ there when you need someone. If your parents had been there for you, it wouldn’t be so hard for you to let someone in.”
    She tried to pull her hands away, but he held firm. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “I know that you’re hiding behind your career because you’re afraid of making a commitment. You choose emotionally unavailable men for the same reason.”
    Her mouth dropped open. “How the hell do you know that? I mean, not that I think you’re right, but...”
    He chuckled. “Would you believe I got a degree in psychology?” He shrugged, looking embarrassed. “Don’t ask me why. I guess I’ve just always been interested in human behavior.” He laughed. “Don’t look so surprised.”
    “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. I just thought music and ranching—”
    “Was my life?