Page 45 of Time To Learn

“Well, thanks. I think. But that doesn’t mean that you’ll get your way with me. I meant what I said, Kristian. I’m not interested in anything with anyone rightnow.”

He shrugs as he sits back in hisseat.

“Well, fair enough, I guess. But…”

He hesitates and crosses his arms over his chest.

“But what?” I frown at him, trying to anticipate his nextmove.

“How about we try to become friends, at least?”

“Friends?” I squint at him. I don’t buy the earnest look in his eyes, but I have to admit that my curiosity is piqued.

“Yes. I don’t know many people in Scotland, and even though I won’t be here for longer than six months or so, I’d like to make some friends while I’m here. If not, it can get pretty lonely, and no one likesthat.”

“I’m sure it’s not difficult to find companions with the way youlook.”

As if they have a mind of their own, my eyes trail up his muscular chest. I wonder if he’s got any ink hidden away underneath the black T-shirt, but when my gaze lands on his again, I bite my lip. His eyes cloud over with shadows and I wish I could take the wordsback.

“Maybe not. But friendships aren’t formed just because you share a bed, or something else, for a night or two. They need time for that, don’t you agree?”

I nod, attempting to hide my wince at the image of Kristian lying with some faceless woman in a bed that pops into myhead.

Eeww.

Then I want to slap myself for even thinking like that. It’s not my place. But that doesn’t mean he’s convinced meyet.

“What have you got to lose?” he persists, frowning atme.

“I’ve never known any man who asked me to be friends keep his promise,” I answer quietly. “I don’t have anything to lose, as you put it, but I just want you to know why I’m hesitating.”

He sighs as he shakes hishead.

“Stubborn.”

I roll my eyes athim.

“Perhaps, but Scots are known forthat.”

“Okay, how does this sound?” He inches forward in his seat. “I know that Lise will be spending a lot of time at your farm, and I’d actually like to come with her from time to time. How about we agree to just try to be friends? And if one of us ends up falling for the other, we promise to say it and not keep it a secret?”

I lean closer so he can hear me better over the sound of the people milling about in thepub.

“Do you keep your promises, Kristian?”

He frowns.

“I try really hard not to break them, Laura.”

He sounds so serious, and that decides it for me. I nod, satisfied withthat.

“That’s good. Okay, we have adeal.”

I raise my hand, waiting for him to shake it. When he smiles slowly at me, I suppress a slight shiver. He really is quite beautiful.

“Deal,” he says as he takes myhand.

I shake it once and then release it quickly.

“Good, but I need to make something very clear.”

“What’sthat?”

“No more talk about wanting to kiss me. Friends don’tkiss.”

He laughs as he nods. “Okay, you’ll never hear me say those words again.”

Smiling, I toast him with my glass.

“Good. Now, how about I buy you a drink, friend?”

A small glint of appreciation lights up in his eyes, and henods.

“That would be good. Thanks.”

I nod and stand up to leave him. As I walk to the bar, I wonder if I’ve just made the worst mistake of my life. But then again, what’s theharm?

As long as I keep my libido in check, I’ll befine.