Persuading Spring: A Sexy New Zealand Romance (The Four Seasons Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page B

same time
as missing him with all her heart.
    “What are you going to do now?” Hitch
wanted to know.
    “I gave her some clothes to change into—she
needed to get out of the dress. I’ve just made her a cup of tea. I might see if
I can get her to eat something. Afterward, I’ll ask her what she wants to do. I
can book her another room here for the night, or I can call her a taxi,
whatever she wants. She doesn’t have anything on her—no phone or purse, but
I’ll make sure she’s okay.”
    “Thanks,” Hitch said. “I appreciate it. She
was lucky you happened to be passing.”
    “Yeah, I guess.” Aaron wanted to protest
that he was only doing what anyone else would have done, but then he thought of
the two men who’d passed her and laughed. Maybe not.
    “Can I call this number if I need to?”
Hitch asked.
    “Of course, any time.”
    “Okay. Thanks.” Hitch hung up.
    Aaron slipped the phone into his pocket,
added some milk to the tea in the two mugs, then knocked softly on the bathroom
door. “Bridget? Want your tea?”
    For a moment she didn’t say anything, and
he wondered whether she was going to refuse to come out. Then the door opened
slowly. She’d been crying again. In fact, as she stood there, more tears tipped
over her lashes and ran down her cheeks. He’d never seen anyone look so unhappy.
    “I’m sorry,” she whispered, so forlorn his
heart went out to her.
    “Aw, come here.” Without thinking, he
reached out and pulled her into his arms. At that moment, he just wanted to
give comfort.
    She stood rigidly for a moment, and then
she softened and curled up against him, her cheek on his shoulder, her arms sliding
around him.
    He rubbed her back and whispered, “Shhh.”
Although she was tall for a girl, maybe five nine or ten, she was still around
four inches shorter than he was, and was small and slight in his arms. Once
again, he felt a strong urge to protect her, to keep her safe.
    “I’m sorry,” she said. “You don’t deserve
this.”
    “It’s all right. I’m used to it. Wounded
things have a way of seeking me out.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I’m a vet, remember? I’m a sucker for a
sad stray. Come on.” With an arm still around her, he led her into the room and
over to the other bed.
    Mateo had risen onto his knees when she’d
come out, and now he got off the bed and came over.
    “Can you pull back the duvet?” Aaron asked
him. The boy did so, and Aaron steered her to the bed. “Sit down.” When she
complied, he lifted her feet and she automatically lay down. He covered her
over. “I’ll get your tea,” he said. He went over to the counter and put a few
chocolate biscuits on a plate. Then he brought them back to her.
    He stopped at the side of the bed and
stared.
    “I think she’s asleep,” Mateo said.
    “Wow. I wish you went to sleep that
quickly.”
    “She’s in your bed,” the boy pointed out.
“Where are you going to sleep, Dad?”
    Aaron remembered the press of her breasts
against his chest—like two small soft cushions without the support of a bra—and
had to resist the urge to slip under the covers and wrap himself around her. “I
doubt she’ll sleep for long. But if she does, I’ll have your bed and you can
sleep on the floor.”
    “Dad…”
    “It’s all right, I’ll lend you a pillow.”
    “You’re such a tease.” Mateo dragged him
back to the other bed. “Play a game with me?”
    “Sure. Just give me a minute.”
    He found a rubbish bag under the sink and
went into the bathroom. Her clothing lay in a heap on the floor. He picked up
the dress, folded it, and placed it in the bag, then added the rest of the
items, trying not to stare at the lacy bodice and panties. Wrapping up the bag,
he took it out and left it on the counter. He’d decide what to do with it
later.
    A ring sat on the basin. He picked that up
too and slid it into his pocket.
    He tipped her tea away and took his over to
the bed, joining his son. Mateo turned on