A Woman Without Lies Read Online Free PDF

Uneasily, she turned and glanced up the hallway.
    “He’s all right,” Hawk said. “Besides, how much trouble can he get into in the bathroom?”
    “You’d be surprised.”
    Angel smiled wryly at the memory of her own clumsiness three years ago, when she had first asserted her independence and hobbled into the bathroom on crutches. In the end, Derry had to come in and untangle her.
    She had always been grateful that it was concern rather than laughter that showed on Derry ’s face when he had found her and her crutches wrapped around the toilet and wash-basin. Fortunately nothing had been hurt but her pride, and Derry had salved even that by his matter-of-fact help.
    Hawk saw Angel’s small, private smile and wondered how many times she and Derry had played in the shower or the bathtub. Yes, there are lots of amusing ways to get into trouble in the bathroom, Hawk thought.
    But thinking about it would make his desire obvious, so Hawk turned his thoughts elsewhere with the same discipline that had once made him a top race car driver and now made him a ruthless businessman.
    “Want me to check on Derry ?” asked Hawk, his voice casual, his eyes so dark they were almost black.
    Angel hesitated.
    “Would you mind?” she asked softly. “Crutches can be the very devil to use the first few times out.”
    Hawk turned and went down the hall, silently agreeing with Angel about crutches. He’d been forced to use them twice, after each major racing crash. Once it had been only for a few days. The second time, though, it had been nineteen weeks.
    Except for the months following his eighteenth birthday, Hawk couldn’t think of a more unpleasant period in his life than the time he had spent on crutches.
    Hawk met Derry coming up the hall. The younger man looked surprised, then resigned.
    “Did I take that long?” Derry asked.
    “Not for me. Angel was a bit nervous, though.”
    “Angel? Oh, Angie.” Derry looked uncertain, then said quietly, “She doesn’t like being called Angel.”
    “I know.”
    “Then why—”
    “She’ll get used to it,” Hawk said, turning his back on Derry , “just like I got used to Hawk.”

 
4
    In silence Hawk and Derry went back to the kitchen where Angel waited. When Derry appeared, relief was clear on Angel’s face. She held out the pill and the glass of water.
    “Bottoms up,” she said.
    Derry grimaced but took the pill.
    “Have you eaten?” asked Angel.
    “Sure. I’m not exactly helpless, you know.” She put her slim fingers against Derry ’s cheek. As fair as her skin was, it was darker than Derry ’s right now.
    “You’re so pale,” she whispered.
    Derry pressed his cheek lightly against Angel’s hand.
    “I’m fine, Angie. Really.”
    “You’ll do better lying down,” Hawk said in a curt voice.
    It was more an order than a suggestion.
    She’s really got her talons into his young hide, Hawk thought grimly . I came along just in time.
    Hawk followed Derry back to the lounge and waited while the younger man lowered himself down. Other than taking the crutches, Hawk didn’t help in any way. When Angel reached to help, Hawk restrained her.
    “He isn’t an invalid,” Hawk said coolly.
    “But—” Angel began.
    “Don’t tell me you’re one of those frustrated mother types,” interrupted Hawk, his voice teasing and his eyes hard as cut crystal. “Fussing and fidgeting around men, trying to reduce them to the status of babies. Or does Derry like being babied?”
    Anger thinned Angel’s mouth, but before she could tell Hawk what she thought of his sharp tongue and lack of feeling, she heard Derry laughing.
    “Mr. Hawkins,” said Derry , struggling to straighten a pillow behind his head, “you don’t know—”
    “Call me Hawk. I’m told the name suits me.”
    As Hawk spoke he moved over and shifted the pillow so that it would be centered beneath Derry ’s head. The gesture was so swift that it almost passed unnoticed.
    “It does, you know,” Derry