A Word with the Bachelor Read Online Free PDF Page B

pulled the pink satin tie tight around her waist, then let herself out of the room. It was time to find out if there was anything wrong. Then maybe she could get to sleep. One needed all of one’s strength to deal with Jack Garner.
    The house was dark and she felt for the hall switch to turn on the light. Brightness spilled into the empty living room. Cool air from outside washed over her and she realized that the front door was open. Looking through the screen, she saw Jack on the porch, staring out at the marina and Blackwater Lake beyond. She turned on the lights in the living room.
    Barefoot, she walked outside and let the door close behind her. Between the lights and the screen door it was enough to guarantee he wouldn’t be startled. “Is everything all right, Jack?”
    He didn’t flinch in surprise or bother to look over his shoulder for that matter. “Fine.”
    â€œIt’s late.” Duh.
    â€œNot for me.”
    She moved forward a couple of steps. Earlier when he’d asked her to move downstairs, she’d figured it was about keeping her away from his office space. The part about him working at night didn’t ring true, but apparently she’d been wrong. “So you’re up at night a lot?”
    â€œYeah.” He finally turned to look at her. “You learn to sleep light, one eye open, waiting for something to happen.”
    â€œDoesn’t sound restful.”
    â€œIt’s not.” He slid his fingertips into the pockets of his worn jeans. “But you get used to functioning on little to no sleep.”
    â€œI suppose.”
    She could see a nearby full moon just above the dark silhouette of the mountains beyond the lake and there was a sky full of stars. The air was filled with the scent of pine and man, but she wasn’t sure which was more intoxicating. One hundred and two ways to be romantic, she thought.
    â€œOkay, then. I just wanted to make sure there was nothing wrong.”
    Before she could turn away, he asked, “Why aren’t you asleep?”
    Now wasn’t that a valid question for which she had an embarrassment of answers. No way she’d confess to being distracted by his broad shoulders, muscular back and the romantic notions his research had stuck in her mind. And she didn’t want him to feel bad about pacing. This was his home and moving around at night might be his creative process. She also didn’t want to imply that moving downstairs had been a problem and make him feel guilty. But he’d already told her she was a bad liar.
    So, she gave him the truth with a twist. “I was thinking.”
    His mouth curved into a slow, sexy smile. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
    â€œI don’t know,” she hedged. “Why doesn’t it?”
    â€œBecause you’re the kind of woman who thinks too much. Shakes things up.”
    â€œIn a good way? Or bad?”
    â€œBoth,” he said.
    She had a feeling he wasn’t just talking about the job she was sent here to do. That maybe he was hinting at something a little more personal. The thought made her heart race and she had to stop herself from pressing fingertips to the pounding pulse at the base of her throat. He’d know why and that would show him her vulnerability and give him more of an upper hand than he already had.
    â€œI’ve been thinking about you.” Oh, dear God, that was no better and she desperately wanted the words back.
    â€œOh?”
    She saw the gleam in his eyes and felt a shiver clear to her bare toes. “Now that I have your attention—” She drew in a breath. “What I meant was, I’ve been thinking about what the military must have been like.”
    â€œCivilians don’t have a clue.”
    â€œYou’re right, of course. But there are basics. You’re expected to follow orders.”
    â€œFrom a commanding officer,” he pointed out.
    â€œRight. I’m