Barely Breathing Read Online Free PDF Page A

party.”
    “No worries. I wasn’t really in the mood for a party tonight
anyway.” He smiled at her and her toes tried to curl in her shoes. She’d done
her research this time. He was one of the good guys.
    “I like that.” His grin did funny things to her stomach.
    “What?”
    “You think of me as one of the good guys.”
    Crap! Had she spoken the thought out loud? She stopped by
the door to her Jeep.
    “I rode over with a friend. I’ll just ride with you if
that’s okay.”
    She would die if he’d been on a date and she’d interrupted.
“I’m so sorry. I really didn’t mean to pull you away. You can go back inside.
I’m sure I’ll be okay until the party is over.”
    “No can do when Jack says go.” He grinned at her.
    “Is there someone you need to go in and say bye to?”
    “If you’re asking if I had a date, then the answer is no.
I’m single. Not dating at all in case you’re interested.”
    She laughed. “Am I so transparent?”
    “Maybe I was just wishful thinking? How well do you and
Tyler know each other?”
    “He’s like a brother to me.”
    “Good to know.”
    “Why can’t I ever meet a guy like you when the timing is
right?”
    “There are no guys like me. I’m an original.”
    “I bet you are.”
    “You’ll be a true believer when you get to know me better.”
    “I know a little about you. Griff Daniels.
Six-feet-six-inches. Black hair. Blue eyes. Owned a martial arts studio before
coming here. Now you work for Jack. You still teach a few MMA classes during
the week and help with personal safety training at your sister-in-law’s gym.
You’re the perpetual Boy Scout, always prepared and probably helping little old
ladies across the street and shit. You have major issues with your mom and her
recent marriage to Caesar Davis, also known as Roman. Cool nickname, though I
would prefer the power behind a name like Caesar. Don’t you agree?”
    She saw temper flash in his eyes. Lord, she needed to think
before she spoke. Yet again she proved how easy it was for her to piss people
off without meaning to. Nice way to let him know you basically cyber stalked
him.
    “Fuck you.”
    It didn’t sound like the invitation she’d like from him.
Maybe it was a good idea to back off. She was in danger and anyone involved
with her would be too. She should keep him away. And the best way was with
insults. Wound his ego and he’d give her a wide berth.
    “Oh, I bet you’d like to fuck. I’m sure I would too. Bet you
know your way around a woman’s body. But I’ve never been one for crowds. You
know, taking the road less traveled and all that.” She let her gaze sweep him
from head to toe, letting the insinuation sink in.
    Griff took a step back. If it wasn’t for the lust in her
eyes, he’d really be pissed. As it was, he’d let his temper get the best of him
when she’d made the comment about his mom. He sighed. Honor smelled like warm
honey and something else, some type of exotic spice maybe. The scent was toying
with him, getting into his skin and making him hot. Christ. How long had it
been since he’d made love to a woman? Too long if she was getting under his
skin this way. He never used the “f” word around a woman, not even during sex.
    His mind filled with a movie reel of the two of them. Hot,
naked and sweaty, contorting into positions you only seemed to see in porn. He
groaned. Maybe it was all the love floating in the air around him. Seemed as if
everyone was finding their perfect match and hooking up lately. All three of
his siblings were married and now had kids. Out of the people he worked with,
only he and Chetan were still single. And Chetan had been a little odd lately.
Which was saying something.
    “What’s the matter, Honor? I thought you didn’t fear
anything?” He laughed. “Seems to me, maybe you do. Maybe I’ve suddenly become
the big, bad wolf and you’re afraid I’ll eat you up.” He leaned back in close
and whispered in her ear. “I would