Erected (Erector Set, Book One) Read Online Free PDF Page B

takeout, unless you tell me you hate it. Try not to fight me on this.” When she said nothing he asked, “So what’s your favorite?”
    “Okay, okay, okay.” The words were said grudgingly. “Kung Pao chicken and pot stickers.”
    “See? Wasn’t that easy?” He unfastened his seat belt. “I’ll be right back.” Impulsively he leaned over and kissed her cheek, then hopped out of the truck before she could react.
    It took longer than he liked and he checked frequently on Ness, still sitting rigidly in the truck, staring ahead at nothing. The impact of everything was really hitting her now and the sooner he got her home the better.
    Fifteen minutes later he was parking in a guest slot at her condo. He helped her down from the truck, balancing the bag with the food in his other hand, and grinned to himself when she insisted on clumping to the elevator on her own.
    “I’m not dead,” she insisted. “In fact, barely incapacitated.”
    But in a very short time you’re going to crash and it won’t be pretty.
    “Whatever you say.” He winked.
    He watched her fume silently as they rode up to her floor and had to swallow a chuckle. At least she wasn’t sobbing all over the place tonight, an episode he was sure she’d like to forget.
    “We’ll eat and then you’ll leave,” she insisted as she unlocked her door.
    “Really?” He couldn’t resist teasing her as he followed her into the kitchen. “I don’t call this much of a thank you. Do you?”
    She slammed her purse down on the counter and turned to face him. Gritting her teeth she said in a flat voice, “Thank you very much, Mr. McCann. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. That satisfy you?”
    He put the sack of food down and rested his hands on her shoulders. Despite her attitude her body shook beneath his touch. She wasn’t as nearly okay as she wanted him to believe. “For now. Why don’t you go change, maybe take a shower to help those muscles that have to be getting sore.” He looked at her foot. “You shower okay with that thing on your leg?”
    “Every day,” she snapped. “I wrap it in plastic.”
    “Need some help?” he grinned.
    “No. I’m fine.”
    He was sure if she was a dog she’d bite him. Feisty didn’t begin to describe her.
    “Then go ahead. I’ll have the food ready when you are.”
    “You don’t have to—”
    He turned her around and gave her a gentle push. “I do and I’m going to. Just accept it and get comfortable.”
    She stormed off, or as much as she could with the cast and the shakes she was trying to control. Josh just shook his head. She was so completely different from any of the women he dated. Not clingy, not impressed by him, not catering to his ego. He wondered if it was all an act or if she was really like that. One thing he knew for sure—being near her made his dick hard and his balls ache. He wanted to strip her naked and pull her nipples into his mouth while he stroked her hot, damp pussy. Bury himself deep inside her and not come up for air for a long time. And at the moment he figured he had about as much chance of that as he did of winning the lottery.
    Certainly not while she was in a state of emotional upheaval.
    Besides, she was as prickly as a hedgehog and he was definitely not looking for a woman with a chip on her shoulder.
    He rummaged around in her cupboards to find plates and silverware and by the time she returned to the kitchen he had the food dished up and heated in the microwave. He’d also found teabags and heated water so she’d have a hot drink. Something soothing.
    “This is…very nice of you.”
    “I’m a really nice guy, if you give me half a chance.”
    “Yes, well, again, I appreciate everything you’ve done.” She’d put on a pair of loose sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. It wasn’t just the absence of makeup that made her face so pale.
    He pulled out a chair at the table. “Sit. Please.”
    “I really