Honest Betrayal by Dara Girard

unremarkable. Now that you know something about me—”
    Hunter set his plate aside. He drew up a leg and rested his arm on it. “Your answer’s too vague. What’s the real reason?”
    “Tell me something about yourself.”
    Hunter lowered his voice. “Was it a college sweetheart that made you unsure?”
    “That topic is closed.”
    “But it’s so interesting.”
    Brenna looked at a passing runner.
    “Someone will change your mind,” he said certain.
    She rolled her eyes. “How like a man. I bet you think all women dream of having a husband and lots of children.”
    “No, I don’t. My mother left me to pursue her career. I don’t blame her for her choice. She was miserable as a wife and mother.” He glanced up at the sky then her face. “I know first hand that not all women are made for a domestic life, but you are. You’re giving, compassionate and you believe in marriage or you would not have opened Love by Design.”
    Brenna shifted feeling awkward. She hated how right he was. “I saw a money making opportunity.”
    “You can’t convince me of that. You’re not greedy enough.” Hunter lifted his plate. “Now let’s talk about me. I’m thirty-four.”
    She waited. “And...?”
    “You fill in the rest.”
    “I’m not as presumptuous as you are.”
    “Of course you are. After meeting me for one hour, you already thought you had found my perfect match. Why is that? I hadn’t filled out anything. You didn’t know what I did, if I’d been married before or not. I revealed little about my tastes, yet you thought you knew who would make a good match.”
    “You gave me plenty of clues. Janice was my first. She gave me an idea of your taste in women. Second, because you carefully selected her, I guessed it would be your first marriage.”
    “I’m divorced.”
    She paused. “Oh.”
    “I was twenty at the time and thought I was in love so I married her. Unfortunately, we were too young. However, we were clever enough to discover that before we had kids. After my divorce, I enacted The Plan.”
    Brenna furrowed her brows. “The plan?”
    “The schedule I live by. It’s served me well until recently. Unfortunately, it doesn’t incorporate irrational human behavior.”
    “What was she like?” Brenna asked, wondering what kind of woman would convince Hunter he was in love.
    “Who?”
    “Your first wife.”
    He grabbed a blade of grass and twirled it. “I don’t remember.”
    “You’re lying.”
    He tossed the blade away. “No, I’m sitting.”
    “Hunter.”
    “Yes, I’m lying.”
    “Was she like Sara?”
    He glanced towards the pond. “Who?”
    “The woman you said was too sweet.”
    He shrugged. “Wouldn’t know.” He sent Brenna a mischievous glance. “I’ve never met her or the others. I lied because I didn’t want anyone else but you.”
    She scowled. “I should be furious.”
    Hunter lifted her chin, his fingers warm and smooth as they grazed her jaw. “Try being flattered instead.”
    She swallowed. “Okay so you were married before and wish to remarry to promote yourself.”
    “Plus I’d like to have some kids.”
    Brenna’s heart sank. Of course he’d want kids. “That’s nice.” She looked at him. For the first time she could read his eyes clearly. She saw his attraction burning, mirroring her own. “I can’t do this,” she said.
    “Don’t worry I can.”
    Like a bird of prey, his lips swooped down to capture hers. Leaving no time to retreat or think. After a few moments she didn’t want to—she couldn’t. The feel of his gentle lips on hers persuaded her to push away all apprehension. She wrapped her arms around him as though he were an anchor against the very storm of emotions he created inside her.
    Hunter’s feelings were even more tempestuous. He’d wanted to kiss her briefly, sweetly, but there was nothing sweet about her mouth right now. It was intoxicating and he loved it. His hands trailed a sensuous path up her arm.
    She abruptly pulled