Born Innocent Read Online Free PDF Page A

me go!” She tried to jerk free, but he held on with a punishing grip. Her heart started to pound in her ears. She was frightened, but she kept her voice firm. “I mean it, Alan.”
    “ You’re one of those women who needs a little coaxing, that’s all.” He released her arm, but at the same time, with a quick, surprising move, he pressed his body against hers, craning over her and pinning her against the arm of the couch. He spoke right against her face. “I don’t think you’re willing to admit what you really want. Everyone in this two-bit town says you’re in love with the local loser. But I don’t buy that. I say the loser is just a convenience—an excuse to keep other men away, because you’re a little afraid of men in general. But I’ve been watching you, and you’ve got a nice little setup here. I think we can get something good going between us, once you quit playing like you don’t want what every woman wants...”
    Claire stared at his distorted, too-close face, and wondered how she’d managed to walk right into this nightmare. She gave his shoulders a shove. “Get away from me!”
    “ Come on, Claire. Cut the crap.” And then he did what she’d been fearing he’d do.
    He smashed his mouth against hers. His tongue stabbed at her lips. Claire sat stunned and unbelieving beneath the onslaught for a moment—but only for a moment.
    Then she began to struggle, demanding that he let her go. He muttered against her lips, “Relax, baby. Enjoy it...” And his soft, cool hand closed over her breast.
    That did it. Somehow she wriggled around, reaching out, grasping desperately, until she touched his drink. She grabbed it up and popped him with it just above his ear. He swore, graphically, jerking back. She heard her silk camp shirt rip as he shoved her away without letting go of the material. Ice, Scotch, and broken glass rained down on them both.
    Claire leapt to her feet and halfway across the room, while he brushed at the broken glass and loosed a score of invectives that should have turned the walls blue. Claire caught her own breath and waited for him to wind down, backing toward the door at the same time. She had it opened behind her and was ready to step out before he finally calmed enough to look at her.
    “ You bitch. What the hell’s the matter with you?” He felt around beneath his hair, as if seeking some serious injury. She knew he’d find none. She’d hit him with the thin edge of the glass and it had broken like an eggshell. She’d surprised the daylights out of him, thank God. But he wasn’t hurt.
    From somewhere in the night, there came a long, sharp volley of detonating firecrackers. Claire said, “I want you out of here by noon tomorrow. Do you understand?”
    He stopped cursing and looked at her. Then he smiled, a weak, smarmy kind of smile. Claire was struck by the chilling notion that she was seeing the true Alan Henson at last. “Sure, why not? Whatever you say.” He actually winked. “And, hey. No hard feelings. Can’t blame a guy for giving it one last shot, can you?”
    Claire gaped at him, feeling suddenly nauseated. He’d virtually attacked her, and he expected her to just brush it off? She whirled on her heel and got out of there, because right then her instincts were murderous.
    She didn’t start shaking until she was halfway back to her cottage, passing the main building of the motel, which formed an L around the pool. Then it was as if the starch that had filled her veins had suddenly drained out of her. Her legs felt wobbly, her hands and arms quivered and she found she could barely stand up.
    So she leaned against the two-story building, pressing her forehead to the wall, trying to take slow, deep breaths, until her composure returned.
    Good Lord, she had almost been raped! There was no other word for it. If she hadn’t had the presence of mind to grab that glass...
    Should she call Sheriff Brawley? She shook her head. No, she had rescued herself, after