Alicia's Folly Read Online Free PDF

know that?” she asked. He smiled a slow, seductive smile. It was devastating in its effect on her. All of a sudden, she couldn’t quite catch her breath and, once again, her breasts tingled. Never before had a man made her feel this way with just a look.  
    Oh my God! Alicia thought, struggling to keep her libido in check. What the hell is it about you? She gave her head a shake and stepped away, pulling her hand out of his for added comfort. Then, realizing she needed to put still more distance between them if she was going to be able to think clearly, she continued walking. She hoped he would and wouldn’t follow, both at the same time.  
    Thankfully, reason took over when there was enough space between them. The absence of his nearness, along with the inability to smell the spiciness of his aftershave helped her get her head on straight. She breathed a slow, unsteady sigh as she turned to face him. His chocolate-brown gaze was intense as he watched her from beside the chaise. As added proof of how confused she was, the fact he’d stayed put bothered her more than it should. She took another deep breath and marshalled her thoughts.  
    There was a tension in his posture as he waited for her to speak, like he knew what she would say and didn’t like it. To her complete shock, what came out of her mouth wasn’t the “I think we need to go our separate ways” speech which was playing through her mind.  
    “Slow it down a bit, okay?” she asked. Nate’s jaw went slack, as did her own, Alicia was sure. Perplexed, she waited form him to answer, silently rehashing her “Goodbye” speech a second time. It’s the smarter thing to do, she told herself. Just as she opened her mouth to speak it, Nate apologized.  
    “I can do that. I’m sorry for laying it on so thick. You kinda bowled me over.” For effect, he waggled his eyebrows. A mortified groan escaped past her lips at the reference to their sudden and somewhat painful meeting. “Sorry. Again. Bad joke. Detective or not, the guy bothers me. If I promise to behave and not get all He-Man on you, will you give me the chance to show you I’m not some sex-crazed creep.”  
    Against her better judgement, Alicia considered Nate’s request. He’d been nothing but kind since she flattened him in the middle of the sidewalk earlier, despite the overabundant remarks about wanting to touch and hold her. Did she take a chance, in case he was being sincere?  
    Or do I cut and run? He’s probably just be biding his time, the voice of paranoia interjected.  
    “We’ll stay public,” he offered. It was almost as though he could read her mind. She shivered. “Not a mind reader. But I do read people. It’s all part of what I do for a living. Any time we spend together will be in public. If you want to explore, we’ll go with tour groups.”  
    Nate’s words gave her an incredible sense of relief. Public outings meant no physical contact and no strings. Just two people building a friendship and spending time together. Alicia couldn’t help the grin that split her face. She’d be able to see the sights after all, and with someone she was slightly more than reasonably sure she could trust.  
    “I’d like that,” she answered, walking slowly back toward the chaise. She covered herself with her wrap-around skirt and repacked her tote. A small thrill of anticipation shivered through her at the thought of spending more time with Nate. The alternative was having the so-called detective dog her.  All of a sudden, Alicia was very glad she hadn’t said her goodbyes.  
    * *  
    Nate breathed a sigh of relief. He’d cut his call to Jared short when he saw the too-thin local sneaking up on Alicia. It was too bad really, because he and J were at the deadline to make an offer on a company and he’d had to hang up before they could come to an agreement on the terms of the purchase. J wanted him to grease the pot a little. He refused to make the deal too sweet. Doing