The Pick Up Wife Read Online Free

scent while he sampled her exotic flavor.
    Despite the flare of heat he’d seen in her eyes a moment ago, none of the whimsical humor he remembered remained, and if it did, it was well hidden beneath the tough exterior she’d developed.
    “Did you like the flowers I sent?”
    “Yes, but if that’s the only reason you wanted to see me, you’re wasting my time.”
    45
    Should he tell her the truth? Maybe now wasn’t the time to tell her why he was there. She’d send him packing for sure.
    “I meant what I said, Symmone. I’ve missed you. I made a mistake leaving you the way I did.”
    She nodded and shifted in her chair. “We’ve established that.”
    “I want you back.”
    Her hand hit the table the same time her mouth dropped open. For a moment all he could think about was sliding his hard cock between her lips and watching her suck him off. He shook himself. Now was not the time, but soon.
    “No.”
    He raised a brow. “Really? Not even going to hear me out?”
    46
    She shook her head. “Let me share what I’ve learned and you so thoroughly taught me. No matter how much you love and trust someone, he can hurt you on a whim for his career. I learned that no matter how much I loved you, you weren’t coming back, and no matter how many tears I cried or wished upon stars, my heart would still be broken.” She blinked rapidly against the sheen of tears glistening in her eyes. “You don’t get a second chance to do that again.”
    To hear her utter the words describing his treatment of her… Until now he’d had no idea of the pain he’d really caused. Guilt and shame settled around his shoulders like a heavy cloak. He reached across the table and covered her hand with his. He wasn’t surprised to find it trembled; what did surprise him was the jolt of electricity that slid 47
    up his arm and filled him with an overwhelming need to hold her close and erase the pain he’d caused.
    He exhaled and steeled himself for the accusation in her eyes. What he read in their brown depths was far worse. In addition to pain was total distrust. She held absolutely no faith in him.
    “You’re correct, Symmone. You shouldn’t give me a chance to hurt you again, but I would like a second chance to show you I’ve changed.” He twined her fingers with his, relishing the silkiness of her skin, enjoying the soft caramel color against his darker cocoa. “I’m not the same selfish immature man I was ten years ago and I need you to let me prove it to you.”
    48
    She shook her head. “I can’t. Rebuilding my life took too long and there’s too much at stake now.”
    He frowned. “Why didn’t you finish school?”
    A blush swept through her cheeks and she looked away. “I went as long as I could after we divorced, but I needed to work.”
    He shifted, leaning forward. “I sent money.”
    She went rigid and fixed him with what he could only call a haughty glare. “I didn’t want that to be one more thing I was dependent upon; it could just up and stop.”
    Damn, this was going to be harder than he’d thought. “Okay, so what have you done since the divorce?”
    49
    “Mostly work, and I catch a class or two when I can. Two more classes and I’ll have my bachelor’s.”
    He smiled. “That’s great. Is there anything I can do to help?”
    “No.” She glanced at her watch. “Your fifteen minutes are up.”
    “You were serious about that?”
    “Of course. I told you I have errands to run.”
    She pushed back her chair and stood.
    He stood as well. “Can I help?”
    She studied him for a long moment. “Leo, I appreciate the apology and for allowing me the opportunity to tell you what I think and feel, but I don’t need your help. I grew up a long time ago.”
    Tugging the purse strap on her shoulder, she turned to leave.
    50
    “Sym, please.”
    She stopped, her shoulders heaving up and down, before she spun on her heel to face him.
    Standing in front of him, she jabbed her index finger in his chest. He