Humidity Rising (Romantic Suspense) Read Online Free PDF Page B

voice held a commanding tone.
    “And if I don’t?” She sounded like a defiant, spoiled brat.
    “Then I’ll have no choice but to call the police.”
    This threat seemed to neutralize her mind-set long enough for him to approach her. He came to a stop within two feet of her.
    He spoke quietly. “Liza, go home and relax. This isn’t going to solve anything.”
    “But, Wesley—”
    “No, Liza. Go home, or I call the police. Those are your only choices right now.”
    She seemed to weigh her options. “Fine.” The insolence returned. “I’ll leave.”
    Liza turned and walked to her car a short distance behind her as Wes returned to Kristi and Janie, pulling them into an embrace as if to protect them.
    He was letting them go when Liza went past, pointing at Kristi and shouting, “This isn’t the end for you, tramp!”

Chapter Six
     
    Kristi remained quiet for most of the ride home. She liked Wes a lot, and would be thrilled to pursue a relationship with him but Liza seemed determined to interfere. What kind of bond would they be able to form if his ex was always around, threatening not only her, but also Janie and Wes?
    She felt as though she were being jerked in opposing directions. Should she give in to what her heart wanted, regardless of what may come or should she let it go to preserve the security of her niece, the only family she had left?
    As they came within a few blocks of her house, she made her decision.
    “Wes, I think we need to stop this before it goes further.”
    He whipped his head toward her for a moment, then returned his attention to the road. “And if I disagree? What do we do then?”
    She looked at him, feeling the first tears forming in the corners of her eyes. “It’s not my intent to argue with you but I have to take mine and Janie’s safety into consideration. That woman is just plain crazy and I can’t take the chance that she’ll do something to hurt us. And I don’t want her hurting you, either.”
    “Yeah. You’re right.” His voice was quiet as he wiped at his eye, probably to pretend to having something caught in it to disguise it as the tear it was. “Maybe we should put this on pause for a while and see what happens.” He glanced at her again. “I don’t want to do that, but it looks like we don’t have a choice.”
    “I can’t think of any other alternative. She’s definitely a strong-minded woman, I have to give her credit for that.”
    “Well, I’m not sure I wanna find out what she’s capable of, if you know what I mean.”
    She glanced at him as he pulled into her driveway. “Yeah. I know what you mean.”
    Moments later, Janie had scooted inside as Wes and Kristi said goodnight at the door.
    “I guess this is the part where we tell each other it’s time to separate for a while.” His voice told her he felt miserable about the mutual decision.
    “Yeah. But, what else can we do?”
    He placed a hand under her chin, tilted her face upward, and covered her lips with his. She felt the heat and desire coming through his kiss, and she threw her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, deeper into the passion. He wrapped his arms around her, pressing her midsection firmly against his.
    She felt him tremble with anticipation and raw emotion, as if he craved more of her as each moment passed. His kiss was consuming her, burning away all resistance to what he obviously wanted from her. She was losing herself in her own desire to give in, losing the debate whether or not it would be the right thing to do. At this very moment, she wanted him more than anything else, almost more than the air she needed to breathe.
    But then, she thought of Janie. She didn’t want to let him down, but she had to stop this. She pulled herself away from him, slowly and gently ending their scorching embrace.
    “I’m sorry—”
    “No. Don’t be.” He was gazing into her eyes. What was it she was seeing in his? Something more than mere passion. Was it a desire to be with her