New York, Actually (From Manhattan with Love 4)

“You’re right. That’s exactly what I’m doing, but right now he doesn’t seem to be listening. When I told him I always end relationships, he smiled. He said he’s my perfect date.”

“Maybe he is. I like the guy more and more. Sounds like he knocked down every objection you had.”

“That’s because he’s a lawyer! It’s his job. I’m not going to do this, Mark. No matter how sexy he is, how charming and persistent, I’m not going to do this. When I go into a relationship, people get hurt. It’s like putting a combine harvester in a field of crops and not expecting them to be chopped down.”

Mark eyed her. “Even after a sleepless night you don’t look anything like a combine harvester. And he doesn’t seem to think there’s the slightest chance he’ll be hurt.”

“That’s true, but I don’t want to take that chance.” She thought about Rupert. “I’ve broken someone’s heart on a global scale. Not a little crack. Not a dent. A big, massive shattering. In public. Not going to happen again.”

The memory made her chest tighten and she felt Mark’s hands close over her shoulders.

“I understand that what happened with Rupert freaked you out, but Daniel sounds like a guy who knows himself pretty well. What if he’s telling the truth?”

“I’m sure he is, but feelings aren’t that easy to control.”

“You have no trouble controlling yours. What if he is exactly like you? Think of what an incredible relationship you could have.”

Molly stared at him. Right now she couldn’t think at all. “I—”

“When did you last have fun, Molly? I don’t mean fun on your own, I mean fun with a sexy guy. When did you last have sex without worrying about the emotional side of it, when did you last date without worrying that the guy was going to fall in love and you weren’t?”

“It’s been a while.”

“So think about it. All the fun, none of the fallout.” Mark stood up, pulled her against him and kissed her cheek. “Get back to work.”

“I can’t. Today I’m Molly, and Molly doesn’t know anything about relationships.”

“Then she should ask Aggie. She knows a hell of a lot.”

Molly watched as Mark walked to the door. “He probably won’t turn up anyway. He’ll think better of it.”

Mark turned. “Let’s wait and see, shall we? He sounds to me like a man who knows exactly what he wants out of life. Promise me one thing—”

“What?”

“If he shows up, you’ll open that door.”

* * *

Daniel pressed the buzzer, wondering if she’d let him in.

He’d spent the day untangling messy, painful relationships and the thought of spending his evening with a woman who didn’t want emotional attachment was the equivalent of a cold beer on a hot day. Molly was fun, sexy and smart. He liked her. The fact that she wasn’t going to fall in love with him was music to his ears. Bring it on.

She opened the door almost immediately. She was wearing jeans, but they were her own jeans this time, and her top was blue, not pink. She looked cute. And fierce. Adorable. Heartbreaker. Hot.

Insanely hot.

It wasn’t a stretch to understand why guys fell hopelessly in love with her.

“Maybe you should hang a sign on your door,” he suggested. “Beware of the Woman. That would keep the wimps and losers at bay and ensure you’re only bothered by serious bad boys who would rather lose money at poker than waste it on a ring. That’s me, by the way.” He was rewarded by a slight smile and then she noticed the bottle in his hand.

“Champagne? Are we celebrating something I should know about?”

“Valentine’s recovery, judges who see sense and our first date.”

“You had a good day in court.”

“I had a long, but good day in court. And my reward is tonight.” He slid his hand behind her head and kissed her briefly. “You’re not falling in love with me, are you? No? Good. Just checking.” He took advantage of her stunned silence to walk past her into the apartment. “Where will I find glasses?”