Fated Read Online Free PDF Page B

The door shut quietly behind him,
and she resisted the urge to throw something at it.
    Her first inclination was to change
into the items in her suitcase and climb out the window, walk into town and
retrieve her car. Her purse was in the other room with all her identification
and cards, her phone, but she had a spare key for the Bimmer in the shop, and a
key to the shop hidden in the alley. The plan appealed more and more as she
thought it through, and she hustled over to her case, zipping it open and
fumbling through the contents.
    Kicking off her shoes, she shimmied
off her skirt, then donned the jeans she retrieved.
The camisole followed, and she reveled in the soothing warmth of the heavier
shirt she drew over her head, despite the lack of a bra. A knock on the door
froze her in place as she reached for her flats, and Reece poked his head in,
eyes lazily sweeping over her altered appearance.
    “You leave here and try to hike
downtown, Candace, I’ll fetch you back and turn your sweet ass red. And not in a good way.”
    Electing not to respond, she gave
him her back, and stepped into her shoes. She gathered up the discarded items
and carefully placed them in her case, giving the task far more effort than
required. Foiled, she considered her options. She could try to outwait him, or
have that discussion he was insisting on, and hold the line. Reece hadn’t left
the doorway after his edict, and she could feel him there, aware he was staring
at her, waiting.
    Suitcase packed, she turned to face
him. “I’ll hear you out, Sheriff. But only because I want to leave here.”
    His features impassive, he nodded
and stood aside, gesturing her toward the living area. Candy steeled herself
and walked past him, so very aware of his heat and proximity.

Chapter Three
     
    Watching Candace’s shapely body as
she stalked toward the same chair, Reece decided it was time. Time to cut to the chase and put all of his cards on the table. What was the worst thing that could happen? He’d spent time getting settled
into the job, establishing himself and finding out everything about Candace
that he could after she’d put him in his place that day in her shop. Watched
her continue to make a place for herself in Barrister while remaining aloof and
separate, most likely still as alone as ever, and lonely. She’d only ever had
Sinclair Renton to call friend, and Sinclair had been away at school for years.
Despite how she pretended he no longer existed, Reece hurt for Candace. She’d
changed, but some things remained the same.
    Buying a little more time, he went
into the kitchen and picked out another beer for himself and a Cherry Coke for
her. The surprise on her face was quickly wiped away, as he set it down with a
smile. He’d forgotten nothing about her.
    Taking his own seat, he took a swig
and put the bottle down. When she finally met his gaze, he spoke. “I came back
to Barrister for you.”
    Blue eyes suddenly appearing too
big for her face, Candace paled and flinched back. A tiny shake of her head
appeared to be her only response.
    “Put my time in, came home. It was
never my career choice, but served me well, got me this job. But I was coming
anyhow, if just to find out why you reacted the way you did. Knew you never
married, weren’t serious about anyone people could tell, so I figured—”
    Her thin response was like a slice
of pain, and he wasn’t sure who it cut deeper. “You arrogant prick.”
    She jumped to her feet, and all of that cool, aloof demeanor fell away. Fists clenching,
she spoke further through gritted teeth. “You kept tabs on me? Thought I was so
hard up you’d waltz back in and pick up where you left off? You get updates
about this…” Gesturing at her body, she tossed her head, and her hair mussed
further. His body responded to her obvious fury, a major turn-on.
    Visibly swallowing, she then took a
breath, so deep her breasts heaved. Despite the less revealing shirt she now
wore, Reece couldn’t help