Crossed Read Online Free PDF Page B

I cleared my throat and snapped the wooden sticks apart, somewhat breaking the tension.
    “That too, but your fingers… they were magical.”
    I felt my cheeks heat and the electrifying friction between us return. All it took were a few of his words.
    “So you’re saying that I should drive you to this institution after all?”
    “And if you do, will you sleep at night knowing the man who tried to rob you and kidnap you is still out there?”
    Shit! There was no way I’d even catch a minute of sleep, all alone at my apartment. It didn’t matter that this building had top of the line security. How would I go get groceries? What about going back to the salon to check up on the construction? I shook my head.
    “How about I make you a deal? You don’t drive me, and I’ll stay here with you. Keep you safe… if you’d like.”
    “Why should I trust you?”
    “You shouldn’t. Don’t trust anyone, Grace. But you can call Tristan. He’ll vouch for me. I’m pretty sure they’ll be able to help find the guy, too.”
    “I’ve already talked to the police.” I twirled the thin noodles onto my sticks.
    “Right, and I’m sure they’ll drop all their murder investigations to find a moron who tried to rob you. Grace, the case will be on the back burner for months.”
    “What do you suggest?”
    “Let me find him.”
    “Are you qualified?”
    His brows rose up and down suggestively. “In more than one vocation.”
    I laughed out loud.
    “You don’t believe me?” Hunter reached forward and pulled my stool toward him. My legs rested between his. His hands were at my hips, gently pressing in though the thick flannel, holding me steady. My chopsticks slipped from my fingers but neither of us paid attention. The sizzle was back. That chemistry I’d felt earlier returned and fused deep in my chest, making my head spin.
    “You’re a beautiful woman, Grace. I don’t want to overstep my boundaries as your guest, but if I don’t kiss you I may lose my mind and go crazy.”
    “We wouldn’t want that now, would we?”
    Were those words even mine? I didn’t have time to think because those perfect lips that had been covered with facial hair earlier that morning were now on mine, and I was about to faint.
     

 
    C HAPTER 4
    “Wait, wait…” I said against his mouth, gently pushing at his chest.
    “Are you all right?”
    “I’m not sure.” I struggled to fill my lungs.
    “Grace, what’s wrong? You’re pale. Come here.” And before I knew it I was snuggled against Hunter’s chest as he carried me around the counter into the kitchen. He set me down on the tile floor and lifted my feet up in the air, resting them against his thighs. The robe slid down my legs, revealing my panties, but I didn’t care. Drops of sweat rolled down my chest as I felt Hunter fumble with something above. A cool towel pressed on my forehead. My feet were braced on a stool and Hunter leaned over me, smoothing my hair back the same way he had in the shower at the salon.
    “Better?”
    “Yes, thank you. I sometimes get like this when I get excited.”
    Crap, did I just say that?
    “Interesting, so how do you pleasure yourself without fainting?”
    “It’s a different kind of excitement; it’s called hypertension.” I lifted my hand up to the towel on my forehead, pressing it harder. “My purse, pills…”
    Hunter passed me the medication and a glass of water. His mouth curved into an odd smirk, and I wondered what he was thinking. I remained on the floor a few more minutes, long enough to notice that the odd smile on his face hadn’t disappeared.
    “Why are you smiling?” I asked.
    “Because I’d never met a woman who carried a vibrator in her purse.”
    Shit! I forgot about that. And about the batteries I was sure were about to die.
    He dangled the toy I’d been dared to carry in my purse. Never in my life had I thought another man would find it when I’d agreed to my best friend’s dare. Not that it didn’t come in