Her Mother's Killer Read Online Free PDF Page A

rose from his chair and walked toward Thea stopping just short of bumping their toes together. His expression didn’t tell her what he was thinking. As he continued staring at her, her blood heated, her pulse tripped a beat. Laughter danced in his eyes.
    Irritated by her reaction, she finally asked, “What?”
    His lips curved. “You’re in front of the sink.”
    He was so close she could feel the warmth of his body, smell the scent of him on his skin. No aftershave for Duncan. Just clean, musky male. She would not sniff, no matter how much she wanted to. Hell, he smelled so good, but she knew it wouldn’t stop there. Licking would have to be involved for her to be satisfied.
    Something of what she was thinking must have registered because the heat in his eyes flared and his smile turned downright carnal. She wanted to throw it back in his face, to stand her ground. But first, it would be stupid. Just what the hell was she trying to prove? That she could stand in front of the sink? And secondly, she was afraid both Duncan and Gwen would hear the arousal in her voice.
    Her cheeks still burning, she broke eye contact and slipped past him. In the process, her unbound breasts brushed against his chest accidentally. Already hard, her nipples tightened further. Almost silently, he sucked in a quick breath. She couldn’t bear to meet his eyes, afraid of what she would find there, but she did notice his jaw clench twice. She tried to swallow but found her mouth dry.
    With what little dignity she had left, she wiggled away. Her hormones bounced to attention. Having Duncan in close vicinity was bad enough, but actually touching him was a whole other kettle of lust. It had been a long time since she’d been with a man and having one in such close proximity, especially one who had a body and reputation for sin, was what she was reacting to. What she needed was a bout of sweaty sex, but Crocker had little to offer her in that department. And it would quickly get around town if she picked someone up and slept with him. She really didn’t give a damn, but if she was planning on starting a business, it would be a bad idea to begin with everyone in town thinking she was a skank. Especially since Crocker was a tad on the conservative side.
    A quick glance in Gwen’s direction told her that her friend apparently hadn’t noticed. Gwen, thank the good Lord, was looking out her front window as if she hadn’t noticed. Thea plopped down in the seat Duncan had just vacated and took another sip of Gwen’s glorious coffee.
    “I have another errand for my mother to run today,” Duncan said. When she glanced at him, she realized his intent gaze had focused on her.
    “What?”
    “Mom wanted me to show you the house.”
    “What house?” asked Gwen.
    Thea winced at Gwen’s suspicious tone. She turned to her friend and saw that same suspicion mirrored in her gaze.
    “I rented a house from Mrs. Perry.” Gwen opened her mouth to argue, but Thea plowed ahead. “You know I can’t stay in your house for long. I need my own space, my own kitchen.”
    Gwen frowned. “But I wanted you to stay here.”
    Thea tossed Duncan a nasty look and found him grinning. He’d known she was going to have a problem with Gwen and was enjoying it a bit too much.
    She set her coffee down and slid her hand across the table to cover Gwen’s clasped ones. “I know you wanted me to stay here, but you know me, Gwen. If I have to deal with someone…even someone I love…I go a little crazy.”
    Gwen held her gaze for one tense moment then looked away. Thea hated the hurt she saw in her friend’s gaze, but she knew this was for the best.
    “If I stayed here, I would be up all hours of the night, and I’d throw out all your margarine.”
    Gwen sighed, the tension dissolving from her rigid posture. She looked at Thea, a rueful smile curving her lips. “I like having you here. You just got here yesterday and now you are already moving out.”
    “Good lord, Gwen.