Bound by Danger Read Online Free PDF Page A

assignment, Dave took the job, but boy, had he hit the big time.
    He pulled dress trousers and his favorite shirt from the closet. Stripping off his wet bathing suit, he envisioned dating Deidre longer than his assignment in Killeen. The banter between the siblings amused him. And she appeared kind and considerate, but a tad shy around men. Something simmered just below the surface, and he was determined to find out what. He knew the way she had studied his appearance both on the landing and poolside, she liked the way he looked. But when she learned what he really was doing there and that his assignment was only temporary…
    Hanging his wet trunks inside the shower, he vowed to get his mind back on business. She wouldn’t be at all pleased with him.
    ***
    Deidre studied her appearance in the mirror. The long blue dress’s gored skirt swished when she walked and danced in perfect form when she’d worn it before. It hugged her hips lightly revealing her trim waist. Her bodice was cut low enough to tempt the viewer, but not overly so. The ensemble would be perfect for dinner and dancing.
    She walked into the kitchen where Charlie stirred a glass of ice tea. She raised her brows. “Pretty spiffy.” She studied his black slacks and pinstriped black and white shirt. No tie though. Even for his own wedding, he wouldn’t sport a tie. Then she smiled. For his new job as a real estate agent, she imagined he’d have to wear one. Her twin brother had finally grown up…a little.
    “Pretty dress,” Charlie said back. “Could’ve been a little tighter and a little lower cut above and higher cut on the leg, but okay.”
    She folded her arms. “I’m not trying to catch some guy’s eye.”
    “You already caught Dave’s.”
    Deidre shook her head. “Where have you been the last two years? Mom and Dad were worried sick about you.”
    “To tell you the truth, I got myself in a bit of a pickle and—”
    The doorbell rang.
    “And?”
    “That’s probably Dave.” Charlie bolted for the door.
    Charlie always got himself into predicaments…naïve on the one hand, and too willing to jump into the unknown on the other. Usually Father scolded him. Mother worried incessantly. But Deidre was tickled to no end to see her brother alive and well.
    Dave walked into the living room and his gaze gravitated to her. Seeing his eyebrows and lips raised slightly as he considered her figure, she assumed he was pleased to have met his new neighbor.
    His appearance made her catch her breath in response. She’d never imagined he could look any better than he had in his swimming trunks earlier.
    Unlike her brother, Dave wore a tie—plain black with a pink shirt and black trousers. She smiled to see a man brave enough to wear a pink shirt. Her smile must have amused him as he beamed in response.
    “So, Charlie, have you called Mom and Dad to tell them you’re here?” Deidre couldn’t help but notice Dave’s hand stretching slightly to her as if he wanted to hold her hand or her arm or something to show she was his date.
    She turned her attention to her brother, ignoring Dave, as they left the apartment.
    Charlie nodded. “Called them as soon as I got in. Mom couldn’t stop crying, and Dad started in with the scolding right away. They seemed pretty pleased I already had a job lined up for Monday morning, and I planned to stay with you for the time being. However, I got the impression they thought you’d keep me out of trouble.”
    Deidre chuckled. “They ought to know better.” They walked across the parking lot to his new pickup truck, and Deidre shook her head. “Where’d you get this rig? Going to rope steer or something?”
    “Hey, it’s perfect for the three of us to sit together up front. Super cab, you know.”
    She’d noticed. She’d figured Dave would have to sit in the back seat of whatever kind of vehicle her brother had owned. He had never owned a pickup before as far as she knew. She wondered what he’d been doing to