Breaking Clear (Full Hearts Series Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

decades of desire for him rekindled. It was like the flame on one of those trick candles that, no matter how hard you blow, won’t go out.
    An image of him looking up at her as she teetered on the fence flashed before her: his gorgeous face, wearing an expression of surprise and amusement that softened his chiselled features; his broad shoulders and powerful torso that narrowed at the waist; his dark brown hair, a thick mass of waves cut shorter now than when they were teens. After all these years, this man still affected her like no other. He was rugged and rough around the edges, and he stirred feelings that made her blush—first crush–type feelings, with all the excitement and novelty that comes with them. Feelings that caused her to memorize his every word, every look, every tone of voice. Now that life had deposited her next door to him, she wasn’t sure how she was going to handle being so near a man no one could even begin to compare to. He wasn’t just a man. He was the man. And she knew without a doubt that she would be utterly unable to resist shamelessly throwing herself at him if he paid her even the slightest bit more interest.
    She pulled out the last set of clothes in her overnight bag—black slim-fit cropped pants and a light-knit white boat neck sweater for a classic summer look. Tying her auburn hair back in a ponytail and quickly applying her makeup, she stood for a moment, satisfied with what she had accomplished. She looked natural enough that it wouldn’t seem like she was trying, but she had still managed to raise her cheekbones a little and make her eyes that much bigger and her lips that much fuller. She found herself wishing she’d run into Evan today, when she looked put together.
    Three hours later, she was back at the house, having visited her dad and picked up some groceries. She made her way out to the Rent-Haul with a groan, not wanting to face the job ahead of her. Lifting the rolling door on the back of the truck, she noticed that everything had shifted during the trip. Several boxes had spilled their contents, leaving magazines and books scattered. “Crap,” she said to herself, climbing up into the back.
    Just as she had finished returning the contents to their boxes, she heard a truck pull up behind her. Risking a glance, she saw it was Evan. She watched as he got out, tossing his keys in the air and catching them as he approached. He was dressed in a white tank top and dark grey shorts, an outfit she would have hated if it hadn’t been displaying his considerable muscles. He took off his aviators when he reached the shade of the rental. A stout grey dog with white paws stood next to him, wagging his body enthusiastically at Harper.
    “If it isn’t the girl next door!” Evan announced. “Can I give you a hand?”
    “I could use both, actually,” she answered.
    “Then you can have ’em both. You pass things down and I’ll haul them to the house.”
    “Perfect.” As she turned to select a couple of boxes, Harper could feel Evan’s eyes on her as she bent down. Or maybe that was just wishful thinking on her part. He had been flirty the night before but, of course, he would be. She’d flashed her breasts at him. “I didn’t know you had a dog.”
    “It’s more like he has me,” Evan replied. “This is Boots. He’s a little hard to look at but he more than makes up for it with personality.”
    “I can see that,” Harper said, looking over at the dog, who was panting happily at her.
    “So, what were you up to this morning?” she asked, hoping this casual question would provide an answer to whether or not he was with anyone.
    “I met a few friends to do some climbing out at the Flatirons. Perfect day for it.”
    “Sounds fun. I’ll come with you so I can show you where I’m putting everything.” She slid a few boxes to the back edge of the truck, then started to climb down. Evan moved in to help her, taking her by the waist and gently lowering her to the