Accidentally Hooked (The Naked Truth Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

pouting his lip and making a sad face. “Stay.”
    She rested both hands on her waist. “Hard to resist a hot naked man walking over with an erection and a Lily of the Valley.”
    “Pardon?”
    She smiled. “The flower you’re carrying. It blooms just once a year and has to be harvested by hand.” He erased the distance between them and lurked behind her, his lips hovering over her ear lobe. “It has a very short shelf life,” she continued.
    He ran his index finger along the green stem, then offered her the bell-like flower. “How do you know?”
    “I worked in a flower shop once. In Vermont.” She touched the flower, her fingers toying with the stem so gently. Covering her hand with his, he clamped his lips to suppress the groan floating up his throat. The simple brush against her skin ignited, or rather reignited, his body to stiffen.
    He exhaled all at once; sure he couldn’t hold it any longer. Never mind that he was a fantastic swimmer. That woman put his lungs to the test. “That was an interesting change of careers.”
    In a blink, Kika straightened her shoulders and moved away from him, taking the flower with her. “Yeah. Listen, I really have to go. It’s been a long evening.”
    He scratched the back of his head. “When can I see you again?”
    She cleared her throat. “You can’t.”
    Come again? Wasn’t repeat business important for her, er, occupation? “You’re not a good salesperson, are you? After what we’ve just done, well, I assume you’d want to see me again.”
    Her lips parted into a sassy smile. “Australian Boy never hears a no. Too bad.”
    He shook his head. “How can I change your mind?”
    “You can’t.” She sauntered to the entry door and he followed her, naked. He should have come up with a magic idea to lure her back into his bed. To make her trust him, and tell him what he wanted to know. Yet, all he managed was to walk behind her, entranced by the sway of her round hips.
    When she reached the door, she clasped the handle and turned to him. A small lump made its way down her throat. Her payment. Right.
    He dashed to the room, retrieved his wallet and returned, handing her a thousand dollars. “Come over if you change your mind. You will change your mind,” he added, his voice firm and commanding. He couldn’t predict the future, not every time, but he knew their paths would cross again soon. Very soon.
    Without counting the money, she tossed it into her small handbag.
    She opened the door, her hand clenching the bronze door handle. For a moment, he thought, hoped, she was going to change her mind and stay with him. With robotic movements, she tossed him a glance over her shoulders.
    Her eyes had darkened to a midnight shade, and the sparks he had enjoyed during sex were gone. “Thanks for the flower.” She let go of the door handle and shut the door behind her, so quietly, it barely made a sound.
    ***
    Kika sprinted out of the room, wishing her legs could keep up with the frantic beats of her heart. I’m doing the right thing. Well, that was debatable, but she couldn’t have stayed.
    She called the elevator and rushed inside, and temporary relief soothed her when she realized she was alone. Alone. Wasn’t that why she’d pretended to be a hooker? To be someone else, and not alone?
    A different sensation of loneliness had assailed her when he’d gone to the bathroom. It was as if that paid hook-uphad awakened a longing she never knew she had. What would it be like to be in a relationship without an expiration date? Her fear of turning into her late mother—a woman whose love for her sleaze ball father didn’t fade even with the distance after she’d moved with her kids to the States—had kept Kika in check her entire life.
    When Ryan returned to the room, she’d already decided it was best to go. Never mind the mind-blowing sex. She’d fought every fiber of her being and maintained her resolve. Ryan was just a fantasy. Maybe that’s why she was