Perfecting the Odds by Brenna St. Clare Page B

I almost put a bullet through my head.” She couldn’t help but snicker at that one.
“For years all I did was box at a local gym and go to the library. After my father died, I fought all the time, but the other guy left more bruised and bloodied.” His grin was cocky and just plain adorable. And didn’t that just suck. “My favorite food is lasagna. I love beef and fish, but hate chicken.  Summer is my favorite season. I grew up on the shore, so I love the beach, and I used to hate the snow, but now I enjoy it since snowdays rock.” She subdued a smile and continued to stare at him, snared by the boyish charm dancing in those pretty eyes. God, she needed to stop him now, stop each statement that was forming another link in their twisted chain. The burning in her chest was quickly morphing into a fluttering—a strange mingling of attraction and nervousness. Why the hell was she nervous?
    “I can be completely juvenile one moment, and too serious the next. I prefer reading to watching television. I love good films, though. The Godfather, part II is my number one, and don’t you dare laugh, but Sleepless in Seattle is my number two. I prefer boxers over briefs. If I’m being totally honest, I’d rather go commando.” Karis instinctively dropped her eyes to his crotch and flushed when he smirked.  Holy commando. “I hate shopping for me, but love shopping for gifts. I like my coffee strong, and like Hemingway, just enough cream to change the color.” He paused and squinted a look toward the ceiling to ponder more details.
    And damn if n ew tears weren’t lurking behind her eyes. She now knew exactly what he was trying to do, why she was so nervous. He already had control over her body, but now he was hooking his claws into her heart. His idiosyncrasies were bonding with her like the missing piece of a puzzle. He was all but fitting himself into her. A goddamn English professor? Really! Raised his sisters!  Loves buying gifts! And, of course, we take our coffee the same. And what man loves the film Sleepless in Seattle ? Which indubitably is her all- time favorite film. Karis growled,inwardly this time .
      His motive blatantly clear, her shattered heart was now beating like it had gotten its second wind. This can’t be happening. Not now, not when she had no idea who she really was anymore.
    He stroked his thumbs over her palms. So caring, so intimate...so not helping her ability to leave this apartment unscathed. “And, Karis, I’ve thought about you at least once a day every day since you left the bar that night. You’re beautiful--body, mind, and soul. I have never been so affected by someone. You were so goddamn honest, so completely open to me, an outsider. I don’t know why you chose to talk to me, but I do know one thing. That type of trust takes years to earn, if ever. And, dammit, I tried to fight what I feel for you. I dated, tried to move on, but I always came back to you. Always.” He stopped, out of breath, before expelling a distressed “ fuck ”.
    “Michael, sto—“
    He pressed a single finger to her lips. “No, darling, not yet. I’ve waited for this moment, and I’m going to finish.” Her heart skipped a beat. How could there be more? “I know Robert’s death left you angry. I see it every time I look at you, but I, you deserve to take the gamble on this.”
    Listening to him talk about her husband brought the brimming tears from her eyes. She should be angry with him for bringing Robert into the argument, but Karis stood awed by how much of a risk this man was taking for her.
    She just wasn’t worth it .
    Her voice wavered with each word she spoke next. “Michael, I know what you’re trying to do. I admire your persistence, and I’m probably the only woman on Earth who would turn a man like you down, but… you wouldn’t want me once you got to know me. I’m not the woman you think I am. Yes, the whole mask incident pisses me off, but honestly, I can’t give you what