Bachelor Unclaimed by Brenda Jackson Page B

time to think—”
    “I don’t need any more time,” she interrupted. “That’s my final decision.”
    He nodded and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Then this is goodbye. And there’s no need for me to mention your visit to Dr. Chambers.”
    Ainsley felt her stomach sink. He was letting her know he was playing hardball. He wouldn’t give her what she wanted with Chambers, unless she slept with him again. Well, he could forget it. She didn’t want the story that bad. But, she thought, with dread curling her stomach, she did want her job back. She needed her job back. There was nothing for her in Claxton and the sooner she could resume her life in New York, the better.
    She nervously licked her lips while she held his gaze. Her mind taunted her. He’s such a good-looking man. Would sharing a bed again with him be so awful when you enjoyed it so much the first time ?
    Yes, it would be awful. Having an affair of her own choosing was one thing; being coerced into one was another. “Goodbye, Winston.” She slid into the car and he closed the door while she snapped on her seat belt.
    And then without saying anything else, she started the car and drove off, going back the way she came. She couldn’t stop herself from looking through her rearview mirror at him. He was standing there, watching her leave.
    It was only when he was no longer in sight that it occurred to her that he now had her full name, but the only thing she knew was his first name.

Chapter 7
    W inston’s hand wasn’t quite steady as he took a drink and it was a drink he needed. Seeing Red again—or Ainsley since that was her name—had done him in. She had been the last person he’d expected to see when he’d left his lab to nab a trespasser.
    And less than thirty minutes later he had let her go.
    Watching her drive away had made him realize just how isolated it was out here. His godbrothers as well as Grady always joked about him being out on Barrett Shores alone. He always ignored their teasing because the seclusion had never bothered him...until today.
    And what was that kiss about? A kiss he’d initiated that she’d returned with as much greed as he’d put into it. He liked stroking his tongue inside her mouth. Loved her taste. Loved the way she felt in his arms. And he was totally into her scent. He liked the way her flesh felt when he ran his tongue over her bottom lip. If he wasn’t careful, she could become addictive.
    Every muscle in his body suddenly went rigid. What the hell was wrong with him? No woman—and he meant no woman—got next to him or under his skin. And he’d be damned if he let her set a precedent. Three of his godbrothers had gotten whipped, and he’d sworn, along with Virgil and Zion, not to let it happen to them.
    Winston smiled at the thought that he was up one on her. She had no idea that he was the very man she wanted to interview. He was Winston Coltrane, aka Dr. R. J. Chambers. He could have easily told her the truth, but had decided there was no way he would do so. After all, she was a reporter and they were known to spill any secrets a person might have.
    And he had placed her between a rock and a hard place. She wanted a story and he wanted her. He hadn’t realized just how much until he’d seen her again. And it was obvious his offer hadn’t set too well with her. He had backed her against the proverbial wall and he had a feeling she wasn’t one to be backed, no matter how badly she wanted a story. As far as he was concerned, he had every right to ask for more time with her. She had agreed to give him that and hadn’t.
    He reached into his pocket, pulled out her business card and looked at it. Plain, definitely not like her. There was nothing plain about Ainsley St. James at all. As far as he was concerned, she had looked just as hot today as she had that night. And so damn beautiful.
    Suddenly a thought came into his mind and placing down his glass, he glanced over at Charley. “Need report on