page14 (1/2)

“Amends?” she croaked, thrown by the sudden vulnerability that flashed across his face Jude, vulnerable? She almost couldn’t credit her senses

“Yes,” he said, fir out a hand to cover hers Just that touch frohts they’d spent together She could have sworn she was over that, had been so sure she’d put it all behind her But then she’d walked in and seen hieous as ever – and then he had to touch her His fingers tightened on hers and she was forced to look up into his piercing aqua eyes And couldn’t seem to look away

“I went about things the wrong way,” he continued with a rueful shrug “And found out to ust that I may just be as much the bastard as everyone says I am”

“I don’t think you’re bastard,” she heard herself say “Well, not recently I haven’t”

“Thanks,” he said drily “It took just one night with you – and I knew I’d played the wrong card I shouldn’t have been gunning for a week – I should have been ai for far, far more”

“Trustmore than a week of sex and you’d have been sick ofhi smile

“I honestly, truly doubt that,” he said, his thuly “So here’s the deal –”

“I knew it! I just knew there was a catch somewhere,” she said half in irritation

“Will you shut up and listen?” he growled, eyes dancing “There’s no catch, Miranda I’est that we start over As friends I know I’m your brother’s least favourite person in the world – and the sa that soet to waret to know each other – without the intimacy this time”

“What?” she asked, eyebrows raised

“That’s right, Miranda, no sex Just us working things out together, as a couple I want to prove to you that it’s not all about the physical with iven, but I care about you as a person, too And I want to prove that”

Miranda bit on her lip in consternation “I’ me to date you, Mr Jude Stone?”

His lips ry “Soot a lousy track record in that departe that”

Whoa, Miranda thought, staring at hi if this was all just a very bad, very horrible joke

“Well?” she heard him ask, and this ti here, Miranda I need you to putyour brother yanked you away froht back -”

“But you didn’t; you let o,” she accused “I felt like such an idiot when you told ht to listen to Jeffery I felt like I’d been cheated, somehow”

Jude looked confused for a moment “Cheated? How”

For a reply, she leaned forward to pressed her lips to his in a ressive kiss She felt hirinding hisher with passion