The Secret Affair(15)

                Then she had the nerve to take her tongue and lick those same lips she’d been nibbling on moments ago. “I was curious about you, too.”

                He smiled. Now they were getting somewhere. “I can understand that. I guess the reason you asked about the kiss is because I told you I’m not into serious relationships when it comes to women. I hope you don’t think a deep kiss constitutes a serious relationship.”

                From the look on her face, which she quickly wiped off, that’s exactly what she’d thought. She was more inexperienced than he’d assumed. He wondered just how inexperienced she was. Most twenty-one-year-old women he knew wore desire, instead of their hearts, on their sleeves.

                “Of course I knew that.”

                If she knew that then why were they having this conversation? If she thought he was looking for something serious just because he’d kissed her then she was so far off the mark it wasn’t funny.

                “How many boyfriends have you had?”

                “Excuse me?”

                No, he wouldn’t excuse her. There were certain things she needed to know. Things experience had nothing to do with. “I asked how many boyfriends you’ve had. And before you tell me it’s none of my business, I’m asking for a reason.”

                She lifted her chin in a defiant pose. “I can’t imagine what reason you would have for needing to know that.”

                “So you can protect yourself.” He thought she looked both adorable and sexy. From the way her curly hair tumbled down her shoulders to the way the smoothness of her skin shone in the sunlight.

                She lifted a brow. “Against men like you?”

                “No. Men like me would never mislead you into thinking there was anything serious about a kiss. But there are men who would lead you to think otherwise.”

                She frowned. “And you don’t think I can handle myself?”

                He smiled. “Not the way I think you should. For some reason you believe you can avoid kisses until you’re in a serious relationship and there are certain kisses that can’t be avoided.”

                He could tell by her expression that she didn’t believe him. “Take the kiss we shared earlier. Do you honestly think you could have avoided it once I got started?” he asked her.

                Her frown deepened. “Yes, of course I could have.”

                “Then why didn’t you?”

                She rolled her eyes. “I told you. The only reason I allowed you to kiss me, and the only reason I participated, is because I was curious.”

                “Really?”

                She rolled her eyes again. “Really. Truly.”

                “So, you’re not curious anymore?”

                She shook her head. “Nope, not at all. I wondered what kissing you was like and now I know.”

                Deciding to prove her wrong and settle the matter once and for all, he moved away from the tree and walked toward her.

                Figuring out his intent, she stood with a scowl on her face. “Hold it right there, Aidan Westmoreland. Don’t you dare think you’re going to kiss me again.”