Return of the Jerk (Sweet Life in Seattle, Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

whispers.
    Mr. Maurice, her large gray tabby, is sitting beside Road. His tail flickers as his golden eyes take her in. He gets up and comes to her, so she sits down on the edge of the bed to pet him.
    “I thought you were still hiding.”
    Mr. Maurice purrs, rubbing against her hand.
    Road shifts position. One of his legs escapes from under the sheet, dusted with dark blond hair.
    When she glances up to his face, she’s surprised to discover his eyes are open, watching her. He doesn’t say anything and for some reason, it reminds her of her erotic dream, the one where he torments her in a shadow-filled room.
    Their eyes meet and stay on each other. Seconds go by. Neither of them speaks, and Blair gets the peculiar sense that Road is finally seeing her. That he’s noticed her at long last.
    But then she remembers all the other times she got her hopes up over the years, and how they were always crushed.
    She turns away and concentrates on petting Mr. Maurice. “You’re supposed to be sleeping on the couch,” she finally says.
    “Couldn’t. It was too bright.”
    Blair sighs to herself. Seattle is gray and rainy most of the time, but of course, today was sunny.
    “How did your errands go?” he asks, his voice husky with sleep. “Did you buy groceries?”
    “Yes, I got everything you wanted.”
    “Why were you gone so long?”
    Blair sniffs. “I was avoiding you, if you must know.”
    He grumbles at that. “Had to order pizza. Didn’t want pizza.”
    “Why didn’t you just go out to eat? There’s plenty of restaurants nearby.”
    “You didn’t give me a key.”
    He’s right. She didn’t give him a key, and she doesn’t intend to, either.
    “You’re going to have to move to the couch now,” Blair says firmly. “You can’t sleep in here anymore.”
    He doesn’t move.
    “Look, you have to leave.”
    “Too tired, babe.” His eyes close.
    “I need to go to bed, though.”
    Road shrugs. “So? Get in bed. Nobody’s stopping you.”
    “I can’t sleep with you in here!”
    “What do you think is going to happen, princess?”
    “ Nothing is going to happen.”
    His eyes open at that. “Then what are you afraid of?”
    “I’m not afraid of anything.”
    He smirks. “You did say you needed more sex. Maybe I’m the one who should be afraid here.”
    “That’s not what my list said!”
    He closes his eyes again, still smiling. “Unfortunately, I’m too beat with jet lag to help you out tonight. Maybe tomorrow, but only if you ask me nicely.”
    She scoffs. “You’re so full of yourself.”
    He chuckles softly.
    Blair studies him in the darkened room. His back is exposed, the white sheet draped across his middle. “You’re not naked under there, are you?”
    “Come find out.”
    She tugs on the sheet a little, pulls it lower on his hip until she sees it. The band that shows he’s wearing underwear.
    Mr. Maurice, who has gone back to his spot beside Road, is watching her. She’s surprised he’s being friendly. His tail twitches and his eyes narrow, as if he’s waiting to see what Blair is made of. Despite his shyness, Mr. Maurice loves to throw attitude.
    Blair sighs and gets up, going into the bathroom to change into her pajamas—a white T-shirt from La Dolce Vita and a pair of loose men’s boxer shorts. Then brushes her teeth.
    She checks to make sure the front door is locked and all the kitchen appliances are unplugged.
    When she heads back into the bedroom, Road is already asleep, so she slips into bed beside him. She lies still for a moment, but then starts to wonder about the door.
    Did I turn the deadbolt? She resists the urge to check it again, but the familiar anxiety sets in and she knows she won’t be able to sleep unless she gets up. She goes out to check the door again, along with the kitchen appliances.
    When she’s done, Blair walks into the bedroom and then stops. One more time. Three is usually her ritual’s magic number. Mr. Maurice follows her out this time and