Christmastime Courtship by Marie Ferrarella

Author:Marie Ferrarella
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-01-10T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Colin had no idea what came over him. He had never been one of those men who would size up a woman, biding his time until he could seduce her. It wasn’t that he was immune to attractive women. He just felt maintaining any sort of a relationship with one was too complicated, and one-night stands could prove to be troublesome.

He found it easier just to steer clear.

But there was something incredibly compelling about this particular woman that just reeled him in. There was no other explanation as to why he’d sought her out tonight when he didn’t have to.

And why else was he even considering showing up at that hospital ward of hers? He’d never thought of himself as someone to take up causes or go that extra mile. Yes, he’d been in the Marines, and yes, he’d become a police officer, but neither had come about out of some compulsive need to help his fellow man. He’d joined the Marines and later the police force because it just seemed like the thing to do at the time. The situations suited him; it was as simple as that.

But although Miranda Steele presented herself as straightforward, there was nothing simple about this woman. And right now, he had an uneasy feeling he was in way over his head. Though he wasn’t someone who was ruled by desire, Colin had a feeling there would be no turning back for him if he stayed here a minute longer. And he wasn’t all that certain that the road ahead was one he should be venturing onto.

The sound of Lola barking in the background was what finally broke apart the moment—and forced him back to his senses.

Taking a step away from her, he looked at Miranda. Her lipstick was blurred from the imprint of his lips and she looked as dazed as he felt.

He was shaken up inside and it was a struggle not to show it. “Did you do that so that I’d come down to your children’s ward?”

That hurt, Miranda thought. Did he really believe she was that kind of person? The kind who physically manipulated people?

“No,” she answered, her voice low as she tried to collect herself. “I was just trying to kiss your cheek. You were the one who turned his head.”

His expression remained stoic and unyielding. “So you’re not trying to seduce me into seeing things your way?”

“No, I’m not,” Miranda cried, stunned. The moment had shattered and what had seemed so wonderful a second ago no longer was. “Forget I asked you,” she told him stiffly.

Damn it, those were tears filling her eyes. He hadn’t meant for any of that to happen. He wasn’t accustomed to dealing with a woman who didn’t have some ulterior motive—except for his aunt.

Hell, he wasn’t really used to dealing with women at all, Colin thought, feeling helpless and annoyed at the same time.

Unable to find the right words to express his regret for having hurt her, he marched to the front door, opened it and stepped outside.

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