Crazy in Love Read Online Free PDF Page A

it. People like you usually have a plan for these things.”
    “ People like me? What is that supposed to mean?”
    “ Rich people. People with money. People who get their money by buying and selling other people.”
    She narrowed her eyes and let her voice dip into warning tones. “Excuse me?”
    “ Your father is in real estate development, isn’t he? Isn’t that what he does—sells properties to the highest bidder?”
    She put her hand over her heart, which was picking up speed. “Have you been researching my family?”
    He chuckled. “A small town with Internet access is a very dangerous thing. We know everything but your bra size and your zodiac sign, although I’m guessing Pisces. You carry a lot of tension in this area.” He gestured his hand to indicate her shoulders, then leaned closer. “I’m not going to guess your bra size. I think that would be inappropriate.”
    “ Do you have some kind of medication you’re off schedule for?” she asked.
    “ I notice you still haven’t answered the question. Are you selling or not?”
    Holy crap, he was unsettling. “What makes you ask something like that?”
    “ Well, evasiveness in answering questions, for one.” He motioned toward her suitcase. “Minimal luggage, so you’re not expecting to spend a lot of time here. You’re dressed like you’re about to hit the runway, not the office.” He glanced at Freya’s hand-me-down Kate Spade bag dangling from her fingers. “No briefcase, no laptop, just a purse. You don’t look like you’re here to work.”
    Flynn felt her stomach tighten. “What exactly do I look like I’m here to do, then?”
    He cocked his head to the side and studied her for a moment. “You look like you’re here to appease the natives until the sale goes through.”
    She felt her mouth drop open, and her brain froze. She was sure there were a million poised, reasonable responses to his taunting, but “You’re fired” was the only thing that came directly to mind.
    Unfortunately, Freya had absolutely forbade her from firing anyone during the first week.
    Fire the wrong person, she’d said, and you’ll start a stampede. All they’ll find is your beaten, battered body under a thousand resignation letters.
    “ Look, Mr...”
    “ Tucker. But you can call me Jake.” He grinned. How was it possible for him to be so mean yet look so friendly? He was like a polar bear, one of those really cute ones at the zoo that would carve you up for dinner in a heartbeat if it weren’t for the bars.
    “ Well, Mr. Tucker—”
    “ So it’s a no on calling me Jake, then, huh?” He nodded. “Trying to keep that professional distance. I totally understand. I will warn you, though. Everyone else calls me Jake. That’s a lot of peer pressure to resist.” His eyes were so filled with amusement, they were actually twinkling at her. “I’m right, aren’t I? You’re going to sell.”
    He smiled, keeping his eyes on hers, and she could see that underneath all the wise-ass crap, there was something more going on inside. That ’s when it finally dawned on her where that twinkle was coming from.
    He was deliberately baiting her.
    And he was enjoying it.
    Jerk.
    “Mr. Tucker, I’ve just spent five hours on a train, and I’m tired. I’d like to go back to the Goodhouse Arms, get settled, and start working. Now, you can take me there, or I can call a cab, but either way, this discussion is over.”
    He kept his gaze locked on hers, but Flynn had no idea what was going on behind those speckled eyes. Hell. She ’d been there less than a half hour and already she’d made an enemy. Well, that was fine. She wasn’t there to be liked. She was there to do a job. And, eventually, she was sure, she’d figure out exactly what that entailed. In the meantime, if she could just get the maintenance guy to stop looking at her like that...
    She took an unconscious step backward to put more distance between them, and the stiletto heel of Freya ’s left