In the Red Zone Read Online Free PDF Page B

aren’t you?” he asked softly.
    She nodded, her throat choking up from a memory. “Just like my daddy was.”
    “Then I’ll do all I can to help.” He tucked one of her flyaway curls behind her ear.
    His touch was so light, so gentle, so unexpected from the man who’d sent Malcolm to the hospital with his fists. Again, her mind urged caution, warring with the warmth stirring in her veins. Experience had taught her to avoid men who were the dangerous combination of charming and violent.
    She took a step back and resumed walking toward the restaurant. “What’s this surefire way to gain some attention for the foundation?”
    “Establishing a subtle connection before I make the official endorsement.”
    “Oh?” The spark of intelligence behind his words intrigued her. Maybe there was more to him than just the stereotypical dumb jock.
    “You and I appear in public together starting right now to make people wonder if we’re dating. Share a few meals, a few kisses, maybe hint at a private sleepover. Then, after a couple of weeks, I’ll gladly plaster my name and likeness on anything you need.”
    For the second time in less than a block, she halted. “And you think that’s going to work like that?”
    He wrapped his arm around her waist and urged her along. “It was your idea, not mine. No time like the present. After all, those kids need proper equipment.”
    Of course he’d use the kids as leverage. “But to be clear, we’re not dating.”
    His bottom lip jutted out into a smoldering pout that captivated her, distracting her and allowing him to wrap his other arm around her waist and pull her closer. “Are you sure I can’t convince you to reconsider?”
    For a brief second, she allowed herself to indulge in the warmth of his embrace, in the sparks of desire that flared between them. It was the dance floor all over again. Her voice cracked in a final plea that belied her crumbling resistance. “Frank…”
    “Fine,” he said, brushing his lips against her forehead in a feather-light kiss before he let her go. “I’ll behave.”
    She released the breath she never realized she’d been holding. The man was proving to be more seductive than she’d first imagined.
    He opened the door to the restaurant and gave his name to the hostess. A minute later, they were being shown to their table with a crowd of gazes following them. But then, what should she expect when she was in the presence of someone like Frank Kelly? If his size and bright red hair didn’t attract attention, then his sheer charisma did. The man lit up a room as much as he electrified the football field. People noticed him.
    Maybe her idea of the two of them appearing in public had some merit after all. She never got this much attention when she entered a room by herself.
    He chose the seat beside her instead of sitting across from her. Once the server took their orders, he leaned in toward her. “So, now that you know you have my unwavering support, what do you say we enjoy getting to know each other?”
    “You mean like on a date?”
    “Did I call it that?” he asked in mock innocence.
    She rolled her eyes with a smile. She had to give him points for persistence.
    “Remember, this was all your idea.” He took a long drink of sweet tea. “Are you older or younger than Tre?”
    “Eight months older.” She fed off his carefree air and added, “You could say we’re Irish twins.”
    His grin widened. “I’ve got one of those myself. There’s eleven months between me and Gideon. I think my parents raised the white flag after that.”
    “If I was your mama, I would’ve raised the white flag after you.”
    “Yeah, I kind of broke the mold. I’m sure if she had to do it again, she’d just have me and none of my other brothers.”
    He was so full of himself, yet in a self-deprecating way. She liked the mixture of confidence tempered with a hint of humility and found herself drawn to him even more. “Are you saying you’re her