A Midsummer Night's Romp by Katie MacAlister Page B

“I have so much to do today. Can we make it tomorrow morning?”
    He knew that she had to be speaking of something other than what he first thought she meant. He knew that, and yet he was unable to keep his roguish grin from turning into an outright leer. “I’d be delighted to show you how to use my equipment, although I should mention that I’m less flexible than normal due to the cast. In addition, I will warn you that despite your belief earlier that I was asking you to marry me, I’m not actually in the market for a permanent attachment. That doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy our time together—far from it. Nothing spices up a summer more than a little dalliance, don’t you think?”
    She gawked at him, outright gawked with open mouth and wide eyes. “Did you just proposition me into, for lack of a polite term, hooking up with you?”
    â€œI believe we could find much mutual pleasure in each other’s company, yes,” he said with a startling lack of his usual finesse.
    She shook her head. “Man, I just—no one has ever just come right out—not so blatant as that—no, Gunner, I am not interested in casual sex, with you or with anyone else.” She took a deep breath, and continued on before he could respond. “And can I just say that you really have some kind of balls coming on to someone who you just met. The fact that you think you can just stroll up and dominate me in that way . . . no sir! It’s not going to fly with me! I don’t do dalliances, as you call them. I happen to prefer a meaningful relationship with a man whovalues me, and doesn’t have to make himself feel better by showing he’s stronger, or more dominant, or any of those things men feel they have to prove. You really have
some nerve
assuming that I’d fall victim to your pretty face, and nice chest, and all the rest of you.”
    â€œAre you finished?” Gunner asked politely when she paused for breath.
    â€œNot even close!” she said with a dignified sniff. “Who do you think you are that you can hit on me like that without even so much as a by-your-leave?”
    â€œI apologize if my attempt to flirt offended—”
    â€œFlirt? Offended! Oh, you are so beyond offended!”
    â€œFor the record, I don’t feel the need to dominate women. I much prefer them lively and engaging rather than cowed and submissive.”
    â€œOh, tell me another,” she said with irately flared nostrils. “All men say that when they’re trying to get into a woman’s pants. But after the bloom is off the rose, then the domineering comes out, and the ‘How dare you question me? I’m a man!’ attitudes fly all over the place, and the next thing you know, you’re a doormat married to a monster.”
    He said nothing for a moment, waiting to see what she’d say next. When she did nothing but look vaguely appalled at her outburst, he said slowly, “That is very specific, but really isn’t applicable to me.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” she stammered, her cheeks pinkening. “I got off on a rant and couldn’t seem to stop. Just ignore me.”
    â€œNow, that I will not do, although I will be happy to forget your rant if you’d like.”
    â€œI’d appreciate that. It must be the jet lag wearing me down, although I’ve been in England for four days.”
    â€œI’m sure that must be it,” he said graciously. “Does it make you uncomfortable to be complimented?”
    â€œMe?” She opened her eyes wide. “No, not at all. But I don’t like being hit on.”
    â€œSo I gathered. Would you mind if I told you that the reason I was flirting is because I like that you say things without thinking about whether or not they will be acceptable? It’s a form of honesty that I particularly enjoy.”
    She flinched at that, and he would have continued,