Love on Trial Read Online Free PDF Page A

corrected.
    â€œDon’t!” she whispered, attempting to give her entire concentration to the dessert.
    â€œDoesn’t Holland ever touch you, little one?” he asked gently.
    She moved her thin shoulders as if trying to twist out from under the question. “Mark’s a gentleman.”
    â€œMark’s a boy, Siri,” he corrected.
    â€œHe suits me very well,” she countered, savoring the sweet taste of the whipped cream. Her tongue came out to whisk it off her upper lip, and Hawke’s eyes narrowed on the tiny movement. The deliberate scrutiny confused her, and she put the coffee cup quickly to her lips.
    â€œShould I bring the camera?” she asked, trying to sound cool and professional.
    â€œOnly if you’re planning to do a speculation piece on the ‘Miracle Strip’ forsome travel magazine,” he replied, “or photos for your album.”
    â€œMaybe,” she said thoughtfully, “I could hire one of the hotel employees to pour beet juice over your head while I take pictures.”
    â€œI wouldn’t advise it, honey,” he said, mildly amused. “You might not like the way I’d reciprocate.”
    â€œYou wouldn’t hit that hard.” She smiled.
    His eyes travelled over her face, from the crown of golden hair to the amber eyes, the soft curve of her mouth. His gaze lingered there until her lips parted under the scrutiny that was as potent as a caress.
    â€œSiri,” he said in a deep, sensual tone, “if I ever lift my hand to you, it won’t be to hit you.”
    The look in his eyes said much more than the words. It haunted her all the way back to the office.

Three
    T hat lunch marked a turning point for Siri. Suddenly, the thought of Panama City, of being with Hawke for the better part of a week, was unbearable. And she knew when she reached her office that she wasn’t going to go. No matter what, even if Bill fired her, she wasn’t going. She took a deep breath and walked into his office.
    â€œYou’re what? ” Daeton exploded.
    She stood her ground. “I’m not going with Hawke.”
    â€œWhy, for God’s sake?”
    Now there, she thought miserably, was a good question. What could she tell him? I’m afraid of Hawke because of a look he gave me across a table?
    She swallowed. “My…boyfriend doesn’t like the idea,” she said finally, digging up the only excuse he might find acceptable.
    He threw down his pencil and leaned back in his chair. “Siri, there just isn’t anybody else I can send,” he explained. “Nobody. And even if there was, Hawke told your father that it was you or no one. This is one hell of a hot story. I don’t want to blow it because your boyfriend’s got a bad case of jealousy.”
    She stared at the cluttered top of his desk. “I’m sorry,” she muttered, turning to open the door.
    â€œSiri, if you do this to me,” Bill Daeton threatened quietly, “I’ll take you offthe police beat and switch you to the garden club circuit for the next ten years.”
    She shrugged fatalistically. “I like flowers,” she said over her shoulder, and closed the door.
    If Daeton was disbelieving, her father was dumbstruck. He gaped at her over the dinner table, his face blank.
    â€œDo you realize,” he said quietly, “how long it took me to convince Hawke to let you go?”
    She smiled. “Five minutes?” she guessed.
    â€œFour.” He shook his head, toying with the brussel sprouts. “Want to tell me why you changed your mind?” he pursued.
    â€œI’ll sound silly.”
    â€œOh, I’m already convinced of that. Tell me anyway.”
    She wrapped her cold fingers around her coffee cup. “It’s kind of hard to put into words,” she began.
    Jared spread his fingers behind hishead and leaned back lazily. “I’ve got all night.”
    â€œI thought