“Thanks for the offer, that’s really nice of you,” Steffi said, firming her resolution against his dangerously tempting offer. “But I still don’t think it’s a good idea.”
Evan stared at her as if she’d suddenly switched to speaking Russian or something.
“Wait…so you’re attracted to me, I’m attracted to you, we’re both available…and you’re still turning me down?” he asked slowly. “Why?”
Steffi swallowed hard. Because I’m terrified that I’ll fall for you, and you’ll break my heart. Because feeling a spark when we’re kissing doesn’t mean that you’ll want to actually be my boyfriend. I don’t want to hook up with you, then watch you go date someone else. Someone as thin and pretty as Mary.
Bradley hadn’t been the first man who had found Steffi attractive enough to sleep with but not good enough to have an actual relationship with. And so far, everything she’d heard about Evan from the people who knew him well was that he dated a lot but avoided any kind of commitment.
After Bradley, Steffi had promised herself that she’d never settle for less than someone who wanted her and only her and who was open to making a commitment.
And the first step to finding a man like that was to avoid players, no matter how charming and sexy they might be.
“Because I’m not your type,” she said, as calmly as she could. She felt like her chest was being squeezed by a boa constrictor. Before he could protest, she continued, “And you’re not mine.”
“Now, that’s a lie, Steffi, and I ought to know,” Evan said in his most seductive voice. He took a step closer to her, and she found herself backed against the car. “And I can prove it to you.”
[…]
