Knowing Vera (Romantic Suspense, Family Drama) (Chance for Love) Read Online Free PDF

man, after all.
    “Okay, sure, let’s sit down.” I move to the sofa and pat it.
    He flops down next to me, then pulls at the elastic liner that slides over his leg.
    “We should check and see if you reinjured it,” I suggest, but his stern glare keeps me from elaborating. My stomach sinks and I wonder why I’m here, explaining myself, making him feel worse. “I-I just came to check on you, er … I mean … I forgot what I wanted to say.”
    He stares at the ceiling and massages his temple. “Look, you’ve already made it clear you don’t want to go out with me anymore.”
    “I know, but I worry about you.” What I really want to say is that it’s not his leg, but if I say it, that’s all he’ll focus on.
    He reaches for my hand and presses it. “No strings, right?”
    My face gets hot, and it’s too bad I’m light-skinned enough to blush. He has a way of making me jittery, unsure of myself. His touch feels good, and knowing how he can work magic on more sensitive parts of my body makes me quiver inside. My tongue is tied, because all I can think of is kissing him. He has that effect on me. I know, crazy.
    Zach waves a hand in front of my face. “Earth to Vera. You okay?”
    “I … uh … What were you saying?”
    “Nothing. I think we’re cool.” He shifts his weight, his discomfort etched on his face.
    “You’re in pain. Be honest.”
    “Yes, I am. And there’s not much I can do about it except take pain killers, remove this damn leg and put on a compression sock to reduce the swelling.”
    I move to help him, but he shrugs me off. “I’m not good company right now.”
    “It’s okay. Let me get you the pills and help you to bed.”
    “You’re not my nurse.” A vein bulges on his forehead.
    I’m making things worse, but I can’t bear to think this will be his last impression of me, that I’ll never see him again. “You want me to leave?”
    I’m praying he won’t throw me out, so I rub his shoulders. They’re tight, and I can tell he wants to say yes. Well, his pride wants me to leave, but he’s too much of a gentleman, so he shakes his head and sighs.
    I can feel his corded muscles relaxing and the heat rising between us. I stroke the base of his neck, and it’s all I can do to restrain myself from wrapping my arms around him and getting horizontal.
    “Think I’ll get your pain pills. Are they in the kitchen?”
    “On top of the refrigerator.” His voice is raspy as his eyes track me. “Thanks.”
    I walk to the kitchen and pour him a glass of water, then stand on tippy toes to reach the jar. “Advil? Didn’t they give you something stronger?”
    “I didn’t fill the prescription because I don’t want to get addicted.”
    “Pain management is part of healing.” I shake out two tablets and return to his side. “You don’t have to bear more than you should. I can run to the pharmacy for you.”
    “No need.” He takes the medicine. “Thanks.”
    Since he’s not going to throw me out, I gather hydrogen peroxide, cotton balls, antiseptic cream and bandages from the bathroom.
    Zach props his elbows over his knees. “Please, Vera. I can take care of myself.”
    “I know you can.” I kneel in front of him.
    Gently, I swab his scrapes and bandage them. He’s silent, but his breathing grows deeper. When I look up, he’s staring at me with those luminous blue eyes. He places a hand on my shoulder, and says, “What are you doing?”
    “Fixing your owies.” I trace circles on his thigh over the liner that fits into the prosthetic socket. “May I remove it?”
    He swipes the back of his forearm over his brow. “Do you feel sorry for me? Is that why you’re here? Because you’re the last woman I dated before the accident?”
    He sounds resigned, and I do feel sorry for him but I can’t admit it. It’s not that simple. The Zach I knew before the accident was arrogant, confident, at the top of his game. This Zach is honest, sweet, a man who could get