Do Not Disturb Read Online Free PDF Page A

short, for him to get a good view of her features beneath that wide black brim. Fair skin, rosy lips, some sort of nose. He didn’t have a clue about her hair; it was either very short or tucked under that overlarge hat.
    His gaze wandered down to the sleeveless black dress she was wearing. It modestly skimmed over breasts and waist, hinting rather than revealing, but ended at a point that barely cleared her midthighs. A knee-skimming filmy overskirt-thing was probably intended to make the hemline appear modest too, but it only served to draw Cooper’s attention to her pale, naked legs.
    Stockingless, you idiot . Not naked .
    But all the same, the “naked” notion started a surge of half-forgotten pleasure in his blood. His heart made an odd ka-thud against his breastbone.
    And just like that, fear poked its icy fingers against the back of his neck.
    Yet somehow he ignored them, his focus concentrated on the sensation of his skin touching hers. The curve of her shoulder molded his hand into a cup, and it was so reminscent of cupping a breast that he automatically caressed the crown of the curve with the heart of his palm. He thought she shivered.
    The small reaction made his blood pump faster, and his gaze roamed along her bare legs as he imagined his palms sliding up her inner thighs to open them for his eyes, his touch, his body. His heart lost its rhythm again, only to play catch-up with another ominous ka-thud, redoubling the alarm gathering at his nape. When his heart skipped again, it tumbled down his spine in an icy rush.
    And still he couldn’t make himself let her go.
    That’s what finally scared the shit out of him.
    His release was so abrupt that she stumbled back. He shoved the offending hand in his pocket. It was his left hand, and he squeezed his fingers into a fist, making sure it hadn’t gone numb.
    â€œAre you all right?” she asked, taking another step back.
    He wanted to laugh, but it wouldn’t have been a pleasant sound. “I’m dandy, just dandy,” he muttered. “Now go.”
    He probably imagined her slight hesitation. Because in half a breath she was out the door, leaving only a lingering note of her perfume. He sniffed, surprised that after more than a year away from the city he still recognized a city girl’s sophisticated scent—Joy.
    Dragging his attention from the woman gone to the woman at hand, he turned toward his sister. “Beth,” he said, dropping to the couch beside her. “What’s the matter? What can I do for you?”
    She shook her head. She wasn’t crying any longer, but she shuddered with each indrawn breath.
    â€œSomething.” Despite all the opportunities life had thrown at him lately, he still had miles to go toward accepting any kind of helplessness. “I must be able to do something, say something.”
    â€œI’m sorry, I know this isn’t helping.” Her head lifted and she swiped at her cheeks. “I keep wondering, thinking, replaying everything.”
    Replaying the accident that killed Stephen, Cooper guessed. Lainey had talked to him about it too, wondering aloud if Stephen had felt any pain. Well, yeah, Cooper figured it probably hurt like hell to be hit by a truck going fifty-five miles an hour. And he was entirely certain that in Stephen’s last moments it only gave him more pain to realize he was leaving behind ones who loved him. But there was no point in telling either of his sisters that.
    â€œWe’ve just gotta give it time,” he said, for want of anything better. He let a beat go by, then spoke again. “Lainey’s been looking for you.”
    â€œLainey.” She swiped at her cheeks some more, evenas fresh tears filled her eyes. “Oh God, Lainey. I…I’m not doing right by her again.”
    A man paused in the doorway, catching Cooper’s eye. “Judd,” he said with relief. If anyone could soothe his sister, he