At His Mercy Read Online Free PDF Page A

Kyler had given her last night. There was a knock at the door, just as she’d exited the attached bathroom. A towel wrapped around her long hair, she padded barefoot across the world’s softest carpet to open the door.
    Kyler.
    Her heart did a weird little hop in her chest. “Hi.”
    “Good morning.” His gaze swept down her body then back up. “Do you need a little longer?”
    “Just a few minutes. Sorry, I didn’t realize we were on a schedule. I never sleep in this late.”
    “It’s okay.” He smiled and her heart did another lurch in her chest. It was the oddest sensation. Strange and yet kind of good too. “Whenever you’re ready, come on down for breakfast.”
    “Will do. Thanks.” She wanted to say more, but she didn’t. She just waited for him to turn away and then shut the door.
    Anxious to get downstairs, she rushed to dress, throwing on yesterday’s clothes — sans the used underwear — and hurried downstairs. She found him in the kitchen, looking all domestic, stirring something in a huge fry ing pan on the stove.
    Whatever it was, it smelled amazing.
    Talk about amazing, he was wearing a pair of sweats and a snug tank top that provided her very first view of bare arms and shoulders.
    Droooool!
    “What are you cooking there?” she asked, her gaze focused on his narrow waist. She could imagine herself smoothing her hands around his sides, and tucking herself against his back. Instead, she stopped at the raised counter and slipped into a bar stool.
    “It’s my own creation. Egg beaters, vegi sausage , and cheese, onions and peppers. Would you like to try some? Or can I make you something else?”
    Elena’s mouth was watering, and she realized just how starving she was. It seemed her jittery nerves weren’t going to stand in the way of eating this morning. “If that concoction tastes as great as it smells, you may need to make another batch. I might eat it all.”
    He chuckled. What a great sound it was. She could listen to him do that for hours.
    He served up two plates, poured a couple of glasses of orange juice, set the newspaper between their plates and joined her at the bar. Such a gentleman, he didn’t take a bite until she did.
    Was this guy for real?
    She stared at the Homes section of the paper as she ate, forced herself to pretend he wasn’t there, just to get something solid in her stomach. She had a feeling she was going to need it.
    Kyler seemed to respect her need for a little bit of quiet. He sat silent beside her, eating, reading the financial section. Just as she took her last bite, he folded the paper and cleared his throat. “Now that we’re both rested — and full — I want to talk to you about Becker.”
    She pushed her empty plate forward and set her elbows on the hard countertop. She flattened her hands on the cool surface. “Yeah.”
    If only she were t here for a different reason, like on a date. This sucked.
    “I want to ask you again to tell me what Becker’s holding over your head.”
    Staring at the black stone, the flecks of brown and gold, she shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.” A cordless phone sat within reach. She picked it up, weighed it in her hand, flipped it over and stared at the glowing keypad.
    She heard him sigh heavily.
    He gently took the phone from her and set it on the counter. “I’m trying to find a way to handle this situation so that neither of us gets hurt in the process. But if you don’t tell me, I can’t guarantee to do that.”
    How she wished he could handle Becker without her getting in the middle.
    She glanced up at him, noticed how serious his expression was. How focused he seemed to be. “That’s nice of you, but like I said last night, there’s nothing you can do. I’m screwed.”
    H e pushed his fingers through his hair. “I’ve been thinking about this all night.”
    “Me too.”
    Their gazes met, and she swore sparks were flying through the air.
    Insanity. To be reacting this way when she was facing