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you
myself?”
    Julie
gulped, her throat going dry. Well at least he was putting it out there. This
was her chance to tell him she just wasn’t interested. That she’d just been
through a bad break up and needed to work on herself and not just jump into the
next relationship. That the last thing she really needed was a fling, which
could be all this hot, sexy hunk of badness was offering.
    “Maybe
you need time to figure it all out,” she said mildly, resisting the urge to
bite on her bottom lip, aware he couldn’t tear his heated gaze from her mouth.
    “Yeah.
I do. And maybe you can help me. We could go for drinks later tonight and maybe
see what happens. I know a few nice places in town. You should let me show you
around.”
    “You’re
asking me out on a date?” Julie asked, a smile playing on her lips. His charm
was infectious. And God help her, this man was plain irresistible. What harm
could it do? He grinned rakishly and Julie grew wet and hot in places she’d
sworn to hold in check. Just because she’d vowed not to get involved didn’t
mean they couldn’t be friends.
    “I
sure am,” he replied with a smile, voice smoky with promise.
    Julie
knew she was in trouble. She nodded slowly in assent and secretly hoped she’d
figure out a way to resist this impossibly handsome man who wanted her more
than any other ever had before.
     

Chapter Six
     
    The
band was playing some nice folksy rock music that Julie couldn’t have imagined
she’d enjoy, but she did. She liked the bar too, nice ambience. They had some
really great beers on tap and add to that her gorgeous date, there wasn’t much
more a girl could ask for.
    She
knew they caught a few looks from the other patrons, but no one she really
needed to worry about. Spending time with Ryan just talking and drinking was
bringing out a side to him she hadn’t expected. She already knew he was funny,
without really trying to be, especially when he was talking about himself. She
learned he was partners with Caine, though Ryan’s job was to handle the
business end of things while Caine was the ‘brains’ of the outfit as Ryan
jokingly put it. Julie liked that Ryan didn’t take himself too seriously. He
had this tough exterior that would make people want to tread carefully around
him, but he really was a nice guy.
    She
was feeling comfortable around him, which both delighted and surprised her.
She’d never dreamed she’d feel safe around a man again, especially this quickly.
But Ryan, with his protective bearing and rugged charm, made it hard for her to
hold onto her defenses. And he did all he could to make her feel desired, and
special. Julie really liked him and was growing more than just attracted to
him. But how could she tell him there was no way this could go any further?
    “Would
you like another beer?” Ryan asked, breaking off their conversation to nod at
her half-empty glass which she was still nursing. Julie shook her head,
assuring him she was good. She really wanted to keep her head tonight and that
meant drinking responsibly. One thing she couldn’t be responsible about, was
how she felt around Ryan. The way his large, slightly callused hand would brush
lightly over hers as he reached for his beer …the graze of his deep laugh
teasing her senses and the way he looked at her that made her sizzle deep
within her folds. She needed…oh; she wasn’t sure what she needed. Ryan –
and Caine, made her want things she really, really shouldn’t. Where was she
going to find the strength to walk away?
    “Ah,
look who’s here. Surprise, surprise,” drawled Ryan, and Julie looked over her
shoulder to see what he was talking about. Something lurched in her chest when
she saw Caine walk into the crowded bar looking as gorgeous as ever. But he
wasn’t alone.
    A
tall, somewhat willowy brunette had her arm tucked into his and she was certainly
a beauty. She wore a pair of snug blue jeans and a shirt unbuttoned low enough
to hint at an enviably