Dawn Autumn Read Online Free PDF Page B

“How about a kiss good night, then?” When she just stood there, frozen with uncertainty, he started to lower his head.
    * * * *
    Fred had known the moment they arrived, and he he’d watched in alarm from one of his security screens as Jay paused before her door. He didn’t need the sound on to read what was going on. She was hesitating on the threshold of more than her rooms.
    Cursing, he ignored his appearance as he yanked his door open and headed for the stairs. He couldn’t let her open her door for Spider.
    The man straightened at the sound of Fred’s boots on the stairs. Jay glanced his way, and then did a double take. She dropped her jacket and didn’t seem to notice.
    “Hi,” Fred said to the stranger as he moved to Jay’s side and slid an arm around her waist. She blushed and didn’t seem to know what to do. Maybe she was too shocked to speak.
    Fred glanced at her and purred, “You’re home late.”
    She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She glanced mutely at Spider, who frowned.
    He eyed Fred, who easily matched his tall build, and had wider shoulders to boot. “I take it you’re friends?”
    “Good friends,” Fred said, lots of teeth in his smile. He didn’t elaborate.
    Spider frowned at Jay. After a moment, he said, “I’m at the Grey Loon every weekend if you want to look me up.” He slid a challenging glance at Fred, nodded at Jay, and then sauntered past, closing the outer door behind him as he left.
    Jay made a strangled sound in her throat and fumbled with her key. She couldn’t get it in her lock, so Fred took it from her and opened her door.
    Jay couldn’t breathe as she dragged her gig bag inside. The Fender seemed to have gained fifty pounds, and she leaned it against the wall, glad to be done with it. Then she stood there and stared, suddenly wishing she had something to do with her hands other than twist them.
    A stranger stood in her apartment, a flaming temptation in black leather. His dark hair hung loose to his shoulders and he was plastered with form fitting leather from head to toe. Her dropped jacket dangled from one raised hand as he tossed it on her couch, causing the muscles in his bare arm to bulge around his thin gold armbands. A buckled vest molded lovingly to his magnificent chest, allowing a naughty peek at his pecs through the slight gap. He was wearing shades, so she couldn’t see the color of his eyes, but the handsome planes of his face were startlingly familiar. “F-fred?”
    “Hi.”
    She was breathing hard, totally rattled by his shocking appearance. She’d been prepared to deal with Fred, not his handsome biker stand in. Cute guys made her nervous— this guy put her in a cold sweat. “Are...are you really Fred?”
    He smiled, a faint, knowing smile.
    Unnerved, she crossed her arms and rubbed her bicep. “What happened to you?”
    “Extreme makeover?” He crossed his arms over his chest, making the muscles bulge.
    She quickly looked away. “Right. Uh, were you going out?”
    “No.” His mouth flattened, and she had the feeling his eyes narrowed behind his shades. His subtle, delectably musky scent intensified.
    It was definitely not the Eu de Fred she remembered, she thought as she wrinkled her nose suspiciously. Fred did not smell yummy.
    He smiled that faintly amused smile, the smile with an edge. “What?”
    “Well, you don’t smell like Fred,” she said defensively, feeling heat light up her cheeks.
    “I took a shower,” he said huskily, moving a step closer.
    She backed up, trying to ignore the savage drumbeat of her heart. This was Fred, for pity’s sake. “What are you doing up?”
    “What are you doing accepting rides from strangers?” he countered menacingly, moving steadily closer until he backed her into her counter.
    She gripped the edge, her eyes widening at his possessive attitude. Her eyes dropped to his mouth, hoping, denying. “It was a fast way home, and it’s not your problem,” she almost gasped. She started