Dreams Don't Wait (Contemporary romance) Read Online Free PDF Page B

him, which was rare. He liked her smile. Damned if he didn't like the whole woman. Tough, honest, with a breezy friendliness at odds with her stubborn jaw and steely determination. She'd wanted to walk out on him this afternoon. He was sure of it. But she'd wanted that hellish cabin even more. One thing was certain: women always wanted something. The trick was to figure out what.
    He unbuttoned his shirt and dropped it on top of the laundry hamper in the bathroom; jeans followed, then briefs. Naked, he turned on the shower and stepped in. Arms wide, he braced himself against the shower wall and let the water pound over the tight muscles in his back. He closed his eyes and thought about Evan's firm but loving hand.
    He swore. Right now any loving hand would do. He was as horny as a kenneled stud. Disgusted with himself, he stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel. He was barely dry before he pulled back the sheets and stretched himself across the bed. He leaned over to turn out the light and, in the enfolding blackness, rested one arm across his forehead.
    He didn't like talking about Moira. Hell, he didn't like thinking about the conniving bitch, but it was necessary. Evan needed to know for Jenny's sake. He remembered the way she'd cocked her head to listen, the intensity of her gaze, how she'd tapped her chin, then shook her head. If he didn't know better, he'd think she cared.
    With an abrupt movement, he got up and walked over to the highboy near the window. He rifled through the top drawer and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. He took one out and headed for the outdoor balcony, then stopped. He was naked, and Evan was in the next room. Their balconies adjoined. He pulled on some jeans, lit his second cigarette of the day, and stepped out the French doors.
    The moon, poised over the water, looked like an antique coin, full and mysteriously shadowed. A ribbon of yellow glowed over the silent but rippling ocean. The night was pure sapphire, clear and bright. Linc rubbed the back of his neck. God, he hoped it wasn't going to be another night spent staring wide-eyed at the ceiling. He took a long pull on his cigarette, exhaled, and watched the small curl of smoke obscure the moon.
    "Those things will kill you." It was Evan. She'd stepped onto the balcony from her room. She wore a long, soft robe. Green. Linc liked green.
    "So they say." He took another drag, then flicked the cigarette off the balcony.
    She shook her head, smiled at him. "Not content with lung disease, the man now tries to set his house on fire." Running her hands along the balcony rail, she lifted her head to look at the moon. "It's an amazing night, isn't it?" She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them to look at him directly. "I've never been anywhere this beautiful, you know."
    He studied her. She was being far too nice for someone he'd argued with less than an hour ago.
    "Where have you been?" He was curious. More so than he expected to be.
    "The prairies mostly—that's where I was born—then west to Vancouver. That's about it. Not exactly a world traveler."
    "What brought you to Victoria?"
    "First off, a job—the company I worked for in Vancouver opened an office here a few months ago. They asked me to transfer, and I jumped at it. And the University. U Vic has a solid reputation. I think Cal will like it there." She took a deep breath. Her next words were for herself more than him. "Everything's going to be perfect, absolutely perfect."
    Linc stared at her. If hope and optimism were to be found in a bottle, she'd been drinking it. "Perfection can be elusive," he said.
    She stopped, obviously flustered. "Sorry. I get carried away at times. Must be the full moon. I should go in now."
    Yeah, full moons. A guy could blame a lot on the full moon. Like his taking a step toward her and lifting her chin. He wanted a clear view of those wide, green eyes. "I hope it all works out for you, Evangeline North. I do." And while that full moon had riled