Forbidden Read Online Free PDF

been that she so rarely backed out of an engagement—especially at the eleventh
     hour—so her mother forgave her. But Katherine hadn’t been able to resist reminding her daughter that Richard Fairchild would
     be greatly disappointed. He’ll get over it, Liz thought as she sipped her wine and watched her host finish his second bowl.
    “All right, you win,” she said, leaning back on the wooden captain’s chair. His butcher block table sat beneath a window that
     looked out on the flight pattern to San Diego International Airport. She paused to allow the noise of a low-flying plane to
     subside. “Your chili’s wonderful. But don’t tell Molly.”
    “I won’t if you won’t.” Adam reached for his wine. “You said you majored in art. What kind?”
    “I’ve done a little of everything, but I’ve settled on sculpting.”
    He inclined his head, impressed. “Are you any good?”
    She shrugged noncommittally. “Who can judge her own work? I know I enjoy molding clay. You can work off a lot of aggressions
     that way.”
    “Do you have a lot of aggressions?” Adam leaned forward and reached for her hand, studying the smooth skin, theshort, unpolished nails. He felt her pulse leap, then try to settle. “I wouldn’t think so.”
    The question seemed a little personal for their short acquaintance. “Doesn’t everyone?” She felt warm, despite the air-conditioning.
     From the wine, the chili, the man touching her, his thumb rubbing along the inside of her wrist. “This time, I really have
     to leave.” Tugging back her hand, she rose just as the cuckoo clock on the wall began announcing the hour of nine. The wooden
     piece, probably hand-carved, seemed so out of place in his modern apartment that she stared at the intricate bird in surprise.
     She also wondered why she hadn’t noticed it before this. Had she been so engrossed in Adam McKenzie, his deep voice, his compelling
     presence?
    Adam followed her gaze. “My mother brought me that from Germany’s Black Forest last year. It’s kind of silly, but I like it.”
    Sentimental, too. Kind to animals, a crusader for justice, a good cook, a man with an engaging sense of humor—an enormously
     attractive man. He had to have some faults. Maybe he steals pencils from blind beggars, or kicks widows he helps across streets.
     Adam McKenzie was a shade too close to perfection for comfort, Liz decided as she carried their bowls to the sink.
    “Leave those. I’ll load them in the dishwasher later.” He picked up the manila envelope and removed the letters. “These’ll
     just take a minute or two.” He sat back down to skim them. When he finished signing, he sealed the envelopes. “Do you mind
     dropping these in our downstairs mailbox?” he asked, walking to where she waited by the door.
    “Not at all.” Liz took the letters, her hand not quite as steady as she’d have wished. This was absurd, she reminded herself.
     He was merely a man she was helping to get elected. Nothing more. “Thanks for the wine and the dinner.”
    “Thanks for bringing my mail over.” He came closer,lightly placing a hand on the small of her back. “And for helping with the kitten.”
    “If you’re going to keep her, you’ll have to get a litter box and food. That sort of thing. She could make a real mess by
     morning.”
    “I’m hoping there’s a child in the building who’s lost a pet and I can reunite them. If not, I guess I’ll have to keep her.
     Don’t Orientals believe that if you save a life, it belongs to you?”
    “Cats always own their masters, didn’t you know?” Even barefoot, he was half a foot taller; she had to tilt her head to look
     into his eyes. What she saw there had her wanting to stay, needing to leave. Her hand closed around the doorknob as her mind
     searched for a witty exit line. She could come up with none. “I’ll probably see you at the office one day,” she said inanely.
    “Count on it.” With the slightest pressure, he eased