The New Guy In Town. Teresa Southwick

      “Look, as far as I’m concerned we’ve become friends. So if what you see in my behavior is charm in a bad way, then I’m not sure what I can do about that.”

      “Just stop it.”

      “I can’t be what I’m not,” he pointed out.

      “Neither can I.”

      “Okay.” Sam dragged his fingers through his hair. He was going to say this and let the chips fall wherever. “You don’t have to tell me I’m right, but I think there’s a better-than-even chance some guy did you wrong.”

      “You don’t—”

      He held up a hand to stop her. “You’re right. I don’t know for sure. But the fact that defensiveness is your default position makes it a very good possibility.”

      She didn’t respond to that.

      “I assure you that I have no ulterior motives. I value your friendship and don’t want things to get awkward between us. There’s nothing to worry about from me and you can take that promise to the bank.” He smiled. “No pun intended.”

      Her lips curved up slightly. “Okay.”

      Sam’s word was important to him and he didn’t give it lightly. He’d drawn a line in the sand and wouldn’t cross it, even though the idea of kissing her had occurred to him. But he was sure there was a jerk in her past and he wouldn’t be another one who played her.

      When she could go back to her house in a day or two, this feeling would pass. There was no doubt in his mind that he could resist her for that short a time.