A Numbers Game Read Online Free Page B

his feet in one fluid move, mere inches now separating their bodies. She could feel the tension radiating off him, pinning her to the wooden post. He traced a finger—still damp from where he’d held the beer bottle—along her jaw. Merrit swallowed a moan.
    “Changed your mind about what, Merry?” His breath licked at her skin, making her body quiver. “About hearing me out? Or about something else?”
    Damn him!
The arrogant jerk knew how aroused she was by him and he wasn’t above using it to his advantage. But he wasn’t unaffected either; she could hear it in his ragged breathing and see it in the way his eyes darted to her lips.
Fine.
Her flagging confidence was now re-energized. She’d stick to her plan of using Heath like he’d used her all those years ago. Tonight, she’d take what she wanted and then she’d head back to Chicago, never having to lay eyes on Heath Gibson again. And while she was at it, she’d prove to herself she wasn’t the cold, dispassionate woman in the bedroom that Grant had accused her of being.
    Merrit pushed past him and jabbed the key in the lock. It took her two attempts, but the door finally opened. When it did, Heath released a deep sigh at her back, one that traveled like seismic waves throughout her body. The room was dark but for a small lamp barely illuminating the hallway. She didn’t bother to look behind to see if he was following as she headed for the bedroom.
    “Merrit.” Her name came out of his mouth as a guttural growl, and every part of her was aching now. “Stop. We have to talk.”
    She halted at the threshold of her bedroom, but she didn’t dare turn to face him. Tears stung the backs of her eyes. Talking would ruin everything. Hearing his excuses would kill the mood. And Merrit needed to do this.
Tonight.
The sound of the beer bottle being placed on the granite counter top alerted her that Heath was moving in her direction. She stepped out of her shoes, padding on bare feet into the bedroom, and switched on the bedside lamp.
    “Jesus, Merrit,” Heath said as he followed her into the room. “Slow down a minute.”
    Said no man, ever.
    Clearly, she needed a lot more practice in the art of seduction. But Merrit didn’t want to stop; she didn’t know how. With her back still to him, she lowered the zipper on her dress, allowing the soft fabric to slide down her body and pool at her feet. Heath groaned behind her and she heard him sit with some force on the bed. “What’s gotten into you? This isn’t the Merrit I know.”
    She whirled around to face him, hands on her hips. “You don’t know me anymore, Heath! Maybe I’ve changed in the last ten years. I’m not that gullible, innocent girl I once was.”
    Heath wore an incredulous look on his face, his eyes trained on the dark blue convertible bra and the lacy panties she wore. She watched as he tried to rein in his wits. He gave his head a little shake before speaking. “We’re not doing anything until we talk first.”
    “I don’t want to hear what you have to say. That’s not what I invited you here for tonight. You’re way overdressed for what I intend. Now strip.” She was as amazed at the demand coming out of her mouth as he apparently was. His gaze slowly traveled from the region of her navel to her face. Heat blazed in his eyes, along with something else. Something that made her feel a little queasy.
    “This is you avoiding again, Merrit,” he said, softly. But the force of his words felt like a weight on her chest. Suddenly she was cold in the sultry June heat. That he could accuse her after everything he’d done in the past stung deeply. She’d made a terrible misstep in thinking she could keep him from hurting her again. A small sob escaped her as she tried to figure out how to extricate herself from the situation.
    “Aw, hell!” Heath’s words reached her just as his body did, his strong arms enveloping hers as his mouth descended for a kiss. He kissed her as if he possessed