A MATTER OF TRUST Read Online Free PDF

exactly what I need to cure what ails me.” With the score one to one, he left her there still holding the breath she’d taken in so sharply at his parting comment.
     
    ****
     
    Maddy checked the lasagna before turning to the cutting board to chop vegetables for the salad, muttering under her breath as she did so. What in the world had she been thinking? Sparing with Chase as she’d done in his room would only heighten the sexual tension that was beginning to brew between them, and that could inevitably lead to heartache. More precisely, her own. Instinct told her to bail now while she still had the chance to emerge unscathed, but a pair of green eyes clouded with desire lured her back into the danger zone.
     
    She had plans, Maddy reasoned with herself, plans that didn’t include getting involved with a man who would only break her heart. She didn’t want her life turned upside down by a brief affair, especially with a man as potent as Chase. He’d take what he wanted then leave her devastated, and she couldn’t afford to be nursing wounds as deep as he would inflict, especially when she was just starting to develop a sense of self-confidence. Maddy could just imagine the havoc that would ensue after getting involved with Chase.
     
    She’d probably fall into a deep depression and start painting pictures of storm clouds and wilted flowers or people with gaunt faces and haunted eyes depicting the depth of their sorrow and hopelessness. Giggling at the absurdity of her own thoughts, Maddy peeked into the overhead oven to make sure the garlic bread she had warming wasn’t getting dried out. Satisfied everything was coming along nicely and would be done at exactly the same time, she turned to go wake Chase and barreled right into him.
     
    Cursing and cradling his broken arm, Chase backed away from her so she couldn’t do anymore damage. “Damn it woman, have you made it your personal goal to inflict as much pain on me as possible or does it just come natural to you?”
     
    Maddy planted her hands on her hips. “How was I supposed to know you were standing right behind me? It’s your own fault anyway for sneaking up on me so don’t…” Her tirade ended abruptly when she suddenly realized how drawn and pale he looked. “Sit down,” she said gently. Much to her surprise he did as she asked without argument.
     
    “What are you doing?” Chase eyed her warily as she reached for the strap on his sling.
     
    A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Don’t worry, I’m not trying to kill you. You’ve got this up too high and the angle is a bit wrong.” After adjusting the strap and carefully maneuvering the sling around to accommodate his muscular arm, she stood back to survey her handiwork. “Better?”
     
    “Actually…yes.”
     
    Maddy laughed. “Don’t act so surprised. Contrary to what you may believe, I’m not always a klutz.” She returned the stove and donned a pair of oven mitts, inhaling deeply as she pulled out the lasagna. “You see,” she called over her shoulder, “I have many hidden talents.”
     
    Chase caught a whiff of the enticing dish, but it was her sexy little bottom that drew his attention. “Yes,” he grinned, “and I’m dying to discover each and every one of those talents.”
     
    Chapter 3
     
    “What’s this?” Chase lifted the cup to his nose and gave the hot brew a suspicious sniff.
     
    Maddy finished fluffing the pillows and propped them against the head board so he could sit in comfort while he drank. “It’s a special blend of herbal tea that will help with the pain so you can sleep.”
     
    “You drugged it,” he accused, attempting to hand the cup back to her.
     
    With an indulgent sigh, she sat down on the edge of the bed next to him. “Admittedly, it would make my stay here more peaceful if you were in a deep sleep the entire time, but I’ve decided to serve out my time without resorting to such drastic measures. It occurred to me that you