Hunt Me (Love Thieves #3) Read Online Free PDF

up to this?”
    Miles went silent, probably out of a thirty-year relationship personally and professionally with Lord Hardwicke. “In a manner of speaking.”
    “It’s all right, Miles,” she soothed, repeating his name. It had always seemed to do the trick in the past, and this was no exception. “I’m sure Mr. Parker will be perfectly respectable company for the flight, and I appreciate your honesty.”
    At the next stretch of silence, she let the old man off the hook. Her father’s interest in her marriage prospects had taken a deplorable rise over the last year. He’d teased her with a dozen potential matches at various parties across Europe. When she started avoiding him at parties, he’d thrown two at her via professional engagements.
    She stared across the cabin at sexy candidate number three.
    At least her father’s taste seemed to be improving.
    “Have a good evening, Miles.”
    “Absolutely.” Relief swamped the man’s voice. “You as well, Katherine. Until next time.”
    They rang off, and she carried the folder to the table. Jarod straightened and held her chair out for her again. She gave him a long, studying look.
    Setting the file down, she leaned back in the chair. The flight attendants joined them, opening the serving seals and pouring the wine. They were efficient and quiet, although Cindy, the older of the two women, gave her a wink and a thumbs-up behind Jarod’s back. The staff approved of her father’s efforts.
    Too bad she couldn’t really enjoy them at the moment.
    When they were alone, she picked up her wine. “You should understand, Mr. Parker, this isn’t going to end well for you.”
    “Oh?” He lifted his brows.
    “Absolutely not.” She sipped the wine. It didn’t matter he was sexy as hell. If her father thought sending every potentially advantageous businessman in her direction a good idea, then it would be better not to get his hopes up.
    Or hers.
    He ignored his wine glass and prodded the salmon with his fork. It flaked perfectly. But, then, it would. The staff didn’t know how to serve an ill-cooked meal. “I’m going to suppose it is another facet of our game.” He lifted the forkful to his mouth and nodded slightly as he tasted it.
    “You may suppose whatever you like. I am not in the habit of letting others choose who shares my bed.” She swirled the wine in her glass. She hadn’t eaten since the boxed lunches during the meeting, and even then she’d only picked at her food.
    He choked and coughed, reaching for the wine to wash down the bite. “I beg your pardon?”
    “Mr. Parker, in all games, there is a time to drop the charade. Miles ratted you out.” She took a second, longer swallow of the wine and put it aside. The warmth spreading through her belly had less to do with the alcohol than her company, but she had better eat if she wanted to drink any more.
    “And exactly what did he say?” The caution in Jarod’s voice brought her head up, and she stared at him.
    The tension in his face returned. A muscle ticked in his jaw. The better tell was his hands, though. They went completely still, even as the knuckles whitened where he gripped the silverware. I wonder what debt or favor Daddy is holding over his head. I’ll have to find out. Or, if he proves a nuisance, maybe I’ll let Daddy hang him out to dry with it.
    “He told me why he gave you the authorization to be on the plane.” She cut into her own fish. “So enough with the games. It’s a long flight. You can take the sofa over there, and, when we land at LAX, you can be on your way.”
    He sat silently. She forced herself to eat three bites of the salmon in quick succession, followed by a forkful of the steamed spinach and grilled zucchini. Her lack of appetite did not do the meal justice, but her audience forced her to play the part. Their air of civility wore on her. She’d rather be curled up, snacking on her dinner in bed and watching the latest movies she’d missed thanks to the