Forever After Read Online Free PDF Page A

me win a lot, but it's more fun if three people play."
    When Darcy returned with the cookie jar, Seth was asking Jenna, "Do you spend much time with Darcy?  Does she babysit with you often?"
    Suddenly Darcy saw what Seth was doing and why he'd stayed.  Eating tacos when he was probably used to caviar and T-bones.  No plans for the evening.  Sure.  She'd been as gullible as Jenna.  He was assessing the child, watching her carefully, getting as much information as he could to help Brad's case!
    Plunking the jar down with a thud, Darcy said, "I think  you'd better leave."
    "But he's going to play Crazy Eights with us," Jenna wailed.
    "I think Mr. Hallaran has more than Crazy Eights on his mind."
    "Are you upset because I asked Jenna a question?  We're getting to know each other."
    "That's the problem.  You're soaking up information like a sponge.  It's not a good idea for you to be here when she is."
    "I'm not pumping her for information."
    "So you say."
    "She's going to be disappointed if I don't play at least one game."
    One look at Jenna's face told Darcy he was right.  Already he knew how to push her buttons.  She'd do anything to make Jenna happy.
    "What if I promise to keep the conversation on the weather and the game?"
    Darcy hesitated.
    "I do keep my promises."
    Was he a man of his word?  She glanced at Jenna who was looking hopeful.  What could one game hurt?  Ten minutes at the most.  Jenna would be satisfied, and he could leave without a fuss.
    "One game of Crazy Eights.  Let's clear the table."
    Jenna found the deck of cards, notepad, and pencil in the dry sink while Darcy cleared the table.  Seth helped and loaded the dishwasher.  Darcy's kitchen wasn't large and they bumped elbows often.  When Seth reached around her to pick up silverware, she held her breath.  She was facing the sink and felt his belt buckle rub the small of her back. 
    "Sorry," he mumbled as he stepped away.
    He was hot, hard, male and musky.  Her knees threatened to wobble and she strictly took herself in hand.  She would not give in to a hormonal reaction.
    She turned to face him.  "Are you?"
    "I didn't come to make you feel...uncomfortable."
    "Why did you come?" she asked, annoyed with herself because her voice was shaky.
    "To find out if Pickering's threat was concrete."
    Darcy searched his face.  "And that's all?"
    He shrugged and gave her a crooked smile.  "I wanted to see you again."
    "And what if I didn't want to see you?"
    "Is that the truth?"
    She could imagine those grey eyes penetrating a witness' defenses, getting to the truth one way or another.  "No, but I told you..."
    "There are reasons why you shouldn't," he finished.  He closed the door to the dishwasher with a snap.  "Let's go play cards."
    Darcy hadn't expected him to end the discussion so abruptly.  She thought he might try reasoning, logic, persuasion.  Did she want him to?  She didn't know. 
    At the table, Darcy shuffled the cards, dividing them in half, ruffling them and letting them drop into her hand.
    Seth's brows quirked up.  "Am I playing with a pro?"
    Amusement danced in his eyes but she couldn't read anything else.  "I played poker with Pops and my brothers.  They taught me everything I know."
    "Everything?"
    The dark light of desire was back.  She shouldn't underestimate this man.  "About poker," she answered as she dealt seven cards to each of them.
    Seth picked up his cards one by one and sorted them.  "Did you ever win any money?"
    Usually her brothers wiped out her pennies early in the game and she'd had to borrow from her dad.  "Now and then."
    Seth propped his right elbow on the table and peered at her over his cards.  "You don't know how to bluff."
    His insight was unnerving and she brushed her bangs away from her forehead.  "I can when I have to."
    He shook his head emphatically.  "Uh uh.  It's your body language.  It shows what you're thinking."
    Darcy closed her hand into a fist and crossed her