“Yes, but I know he wasn’t happy.”
“Why?”
“He was obsessed with making money and spending money.He was a thrill seeker, always taking risks that didn’t pay off.Eventually he lost everything.When his playboy façade started to fall apart, he got manic.I was too busy to console him.I was focused on Emily, my classes, and my career.”
“He’s the one who fucked up.Why should you console him?”
She toyed with the label on the beer bottle.“I think we both lost interest.Our home life left a lot to be desired.He liked to go to nightclubs and stay out late.I was up at dawn feeding a baby after a double shift in the ER.”
“You were taking care of his child.”
“He said I didn’t excite him.”
“He was a fool.”
She shrugged, glancing away.
Although Paul could scarcely believe a woman like her would harbor insecurities, he had witnessed the ravages of divorce.It wrecked people and broke them down into little pieces.Kyle was still a mess, four years later.
He reached out to hold her face with his fingertips.She turned toward him at his urging.“You excite me,” he said, meeting her guarded eyes.“It’s not just a matter of personal preference, either.You’re objectively sexy.”
Color warmed her cheeks at the compliment.
“If your ex lost interest, it was his fault, not yours.He wanted flash over substance, and he couldn’t handle the responsibilities of a family.You had to do it all yourself.Sounds to me like he wasn’t man enough for you.”
She studied him with a thoughtful expression.She seemed surprised by his insight.“You’re good for my ego.”
“I’m good for a few other things, too.”
His offer was clear, and she looked tempted to take him up on it.Even so, she moved his hand away from her face.“Why are you acting so nice?”
He was taken aback by this pronouncement.“What do you mean?”
“When the cabin was yours, you were barely civil.Now that it’s mine, you’re bringing me sheets and plying me with compliments.”
“Plying you?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t think I’m being sincere?”
“I think you want something from me.”
His gaze scanned her body.“You’re right.”
“I’m serious, Paul.I don’t trust this new you.”
Paul didn’t mention the fact that she hadn’t trusted the old him, either.“You prefer the insufferable jerk?”
She rose to her feet.“Yeah, maybe I do.”
“Why?”
“Because if you’re not a nice guy, we can just have sex and go our separate ways.I won’t feel anything.”
Paul marveled at the irony of the situation.Instead of sharing personal details, he should have told her to shut up and get naked.He might have been more successful in his seduction attempt.
“You’re no handyman,” she said.“I know that.”
