Serenity's Deception (Texas Sorority Sisters Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

pounds of pure masculine force sitting less than two inches from her elbow, she wished herself anywhere but here. Unmentionable reactions were happening to her just because of his nearness and she couldn’t afford for her feelings to be involved in her decision.
    Her tongue thick, dry, and unable to swallow, she wanted, no, needed the glass of water sitting in front of her. But she couldn’t make her hand respond. Thoughts of excusing herself to the ladies’ room crossed her mind, but she nixed the idea. No. She’d stay glued to her chair, even if it killed her. And his nearness was doing just that, killing her inch by inch.
    The quiet, interminable. Time, agonizingly slow. The silence so complete the methodical tick of the calendar clock from the other room sounded like the executioner’s drum. If he didn’t speak soon, permanent, irreversible damage would take place, and she wouldn’t be responsible for her actions. She repressed the bubble of laughter at the mental picture of her jumping up from her chair and running out of the room screaming.
    “What do you want to do?”                                                          
    BJ almost jumped out of her skin, and then mentally kicked herself for being such a ninny. His voice held a hint of resignation, or was it dread? She wasn’t sure and glanced over at him. Mistake.
    Jason’s eye, like pools of stormy, dark water stared back, pulling her. She felt vulnerable and longed for a time when life wasn’t so complicated—if there ever was a time. And though she fought hard to resist Jason’s appeal, she knew she was the loser in this tug of war.
    The attraction earlier was nothing compared to now with his face so close. The desire to reach out and smooth away the tightened lines of anger from his brow had her painfully clamping her hands together.
    “What?” She blinked and tried to shift back, finding no room to move farther from the crux of her problem.
    “What do you want to do? I know you haven’t really been consulted as to your wishes.” He gave her a rueful smile. “But let’s face it, this isn’t a normal situation we find ourselves in. Do you need the money?” He looked genuinely concerned about her answer.
    “I beg your pardon?” The nerve. The audacity of the man. Did he think her in dire straits and capable of selling her very soul to the highest bidder, downright insulting.
    “I said, do—you—need—the—”
    “I heard what you said.”
    “Then why in the world did you ask me to repeat—”
    “I didn’t ask you to repeat yourself.”
    “It sure sounded like that to me.”
    She felt those three lines back between her brows again only tighter, but she couldn’t do a thing about them. Worry and stress did that to her. At this rate she’d be old before her time.
    The eyes tugging her under earlier were now exasperated and shooting sparks. His fingers raked through his hair causing several curls to stand irreverently, adoringly so.
    BJ stop this. You’re not a schoolgirl. You’re a grown woman.
    “It’s incomprehensible that you would ask about my personal finances. You have—”
    “I don’t give a hoot about your finances. Oh, forget it.” He lunged from his chair with a glint directed at her as if she were a chicken pegged for frying, and he’d love to wring her neck.
    “I can tell you’re going to be stubborn and contrary about this.” He paced the length of the room and then came back, towering over her. “Should have known. What else could I expect? You’re a woman.”
    Unable to keep the laughter from her voice she said, “The last time I checked I was.” Seeing his inquisitive face, she supplied the answer. “A woman, Jace. A woman.”
    His stormy expression eased, and a glint of humor lurked in his eyes.
    “I’m sorry.” She shook her head. “But you’re right.” She held her hands out to her sides then dropped them on the armrests.