Beauty's Kiss Read Online Free PDF

off his high hard cheekbones and strong jaw, his jaw shadowed with a day old beard. He was wearing a long black wool coat, something you’d probably see in San Francisco’s financial district and the tailored wool coat made his shoulders look big, broad, and tall. But then he was tall. And big, and broad. He’d made the huge Escalade feel small and it was probably a very roomy SUV.
    “I’m sorry you had to drive all the way back at this time,” she said, needing to let him know she was there, and yet feeling slightly breathless at the same time.
    She wasn’t accustomed to greeting men in the Jones’ living room. She’d had some double dates with Jane, but none of the men had ever picked her up here.
    Nervously she jammed her hands deeper into the robe pockets, thinking she must look as pretty as a roll of toilet paper in her fuzzy gray robe dotted with fat pink pigs, the robe a Christmas gift a from Doug several years ago.
    Troy turned from the mantle, his long black wool coat falling open over his black cashmere sweater, revealing the hard muscular planes of his broad chest. She’d tried not to stare at his chest in the car. She had to remind herself not to stare now.
    “I didn’t want you to panic,” he said.
    “That was nice of you, because I was, a little bit,” she admitted. “I haven’t backed up my contacts. Need to.” She was babbling. She hated that. But she felt so jumpy. Troy made her self-conscious. Or, perhaps it was the robe. Why didn’t she just put on clothes before coming out to see him? Why had she felt it necessary to greet him in a pig robe?
    Of course he’d look urban, and sophisticated.
    Dashing.
    A prince coming to the villager’s house with the glass slipper.
    Or in this case, a phone.
    She really should have put on real clothes.
    “I would have waited until morning,” Troy said, walking towards her, “but the messages seemed urgent.” He handed her the phone. “Hope everything’s okay.”
    His fingertips brushed her palm as he placed the phone in her hand. Taylor blushed, feeling a sharp tingle where his fingers had touched her palm.
    This was so absurd. She had to get a grip. Annoyed, she rubbed at the sensitive, tingling spot on her hand, even as she glanced at the screen of her phone.
    Tons of missed calls. Tons of text messages. All from Doug.
    “My brother,” she said, heart sinking all over again.
    “The one in Paradise Valley?”
    She nodded. “Do you mind if I send him a message and make sure things are alright?”
    “I think that’s a good idea. I can always drive you to him if you need a ride.”
    She didn’t bother to explain there were no visits at Hogue Ranch, and no dropping by. The ranch was a halfway house program approved by the state. Doug had gotten into trouble a year ago and he needed to finish his nine month program at the ranch so he could get off probation and come live with her. As soon as he could do that, she’d find a place for them both here in Marietta. Taylor wanted to stay in Marietta. Doug didn’t, but she wasn’t going to think about that yet.
    Instead she focused on sending her brother a brief text. Everything ok?
    Where have you been ? Doug answered almost immediately.
    Taylor typed back. Had a car accident and lost my phone. But I’ve got the phone now .
    You okay? Doug asked a second later.
    Fine. Car’s not so good but that can be fixed.
    Good. Glad you’re safe.
    She drew a deep breath and repeated her first question, dreading his reply . So are you okay?
    For a long moment there was no response, and then, I hate it here .
    Taylor bit her lip, a fresh wave of dread hit her, weighting her limbs.
    This is how it always started. He’d become unhappy and agitated and the agitation would turn into resentment, then anger, and then before she knew it, he’d be walking out of a program, picking a fight, losing control.
    But no, she stopped herself. She wouldn’t go there, not yet. She wouldn’t make that leap. He was getting