Claim (A Dangerous Man, #3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

from the town where she grew up, without even the security of a job waiting for her, but she seems to be handling it well. “Why Bellevue?” I ask.
    She looks deep in thought, and then she shrugs and doesn’t say anything. I don’t pursue it. I consider asking her to come to Seattle instead. I would get her a job, make sure she’s all right. I watch as she licks her lips distractedly, and I know there’s no way I would be able to keep my hands off her.
    No, I should just leave her alone.
    I notice a guy come into the restaurant with a brunette in tow. He doesn’t take two steps before his eyes lock on Sophie. She has her back to him, so she can’t see him. His expression turns to one of surprise, and he says something to his companion. As I watch, they begin to come towards us.
    He looks young, closer to her age than me. A boyfriend maybe. Feeling unaccountably jealous, I wait as he approaches our table.
    “Sophie?” The guy says when he is close enough for her to hear. Sophie frowns, her eyes still on me, then she turns around to see who it is. I watch her face, her reactions, wanting to see any sign that he means something to her.
    “Hi Eddie.” Her voice is friendly but not overly so.
    “It’s really nice to see you, Sophie.” The guy, Eddie, says, his eyes leaving her face only for a second, to look at mine.
    “It’s nice to see you too, Eddie.” Sophie replies, for a second she looks unsure what to do. “David, this is Eddie,” She starts tentatively. “We were neighbors growing up.”
    I watch her face for any sign of another meaning in that statement, wondering at my sudden and unjustifiable possessiveness.
    “Eddie, this is David Preston,” she continues, “he...” she stops and I watch the blush steal into her cheeks.
    “I’m attending a conference here in town,” I finish for her. “or I was. I’m heading back to Seattle in the morning.”
    My eyes don’t leave Sophie’s face as I speak, so I see the look of disappointment that immediately clouds her features. A small frown steals into her face. I feel an unfamiliar surge of concern. I try to pay attention while her friend introduces his companion.
    “I’m sorry for your loss Sophie,” he says to Sophie, giving her a smile that makes me want to give him a job somewhere very far away. “I’m sorry I haven’t tried to see you before now.” He adds.
    “You were away at school,” She replies, “and I’m okay.”
    He gives her another smile before moving away from our table. I watch him go, jealousy eating at me. “Old boyfriend?” I ask, turning back to Sophie, the coolness in my voice hiding the fact that I really need her to deny it.
    “No,” her eyes widen, and she shakes her head. “Of course not. I don’t have any old boyfriends.”
    I’m almost ashamed of the relief I feel. “Young ones then?” I probe, looking intently at her.
    She shakes her head, filling me with an insane and inexplicable feeling of exultation.
    “You didn’t tell me you were leaving.” She says in a small voice. The thought that she doesn’t want me to go is selfishly elating. I lean back on my chair and watch her face.
    “I was leaving this afternoon,” I say with a small shrug, “and yet when I saw you, I stopped to ask you to dinner.”
    A blush steals into her cheeks. “Oh.”
    I smile ruefully. “But then I left anyway.”
    “I don’t understand.” She says, puzzlement creeping into her face, “You’re here.”
    But I shouldn’t be, if I had any sense I would be far away from her. I suppress the voice of reason. “I was going to call the shop and apologize to you, but I came back, and now here I am, back in Ashford, on a date with an eighteen year old.”
    For a moment, she looks incredibly sad. “I’m glad you changed your mind.” She says finally, her voice intense.
    The passion in her response surprises me. God, I want her. The desire I felt earlier has turned into an acute craving, I want to take her away from this