Shattered Dreams Read Online Free PDF Page B

we?” Jason finally said in a voice barely above a whisper.
    She nodded and her attention returned to guiding the sloop as she struggled to ignore the attorney’s presence. Every so often she’d feel his eyes on her, and the hairs on the back of her neck would stand on end in response. For most of the short sail, she was totally aware of him.
    She could tell by Jason’s mannerisms that he’d done his fair amount of sailing and loved the water. So different from Carl. The attorney performed the duties of first mate in the efficient manner he’d demonstrated earlier, completely at ease on the boat. This disturbed her.
    She didn’t like sharing her love of sailing with the confident, insightful man who read her too well. Carl always made her feel sexy with a glance, but somehow the feeling seemed shallow when she compared it to the connection she felt right now with Jason Roberts, who was in essence a stranger.
    It made her realize her marriage lacked true depth. Had it ever been deep? If she were honest, she’d have to respond no with a capital N . How sad. After almost three years, there wasn’t much she shared with Carl other than great sex.
    When the time came to drop the sails, Claire couldn’t miss Jason’s relaxed air as he deftly handled the white masses of stiff fabric, folding and then storing them properly without the slightest bit of direction.
    She watched him walk toward the helm, his expression revealing nothing of his inner thoughts. The confidence he exuded gave her a sense of calm because she felt he’d help figure out this mystery. If only she could read him better.
    They headed into the harbor under full engine, and Jason expertly guided the boat into the slip she’d indicated.
    How had he gone from first mate to captain so effortlessly? His actions caught her by surprise, making her uneasy, especially when she never surrendered control of her boat to anyone, much less a stranger.
    “You do that often?” she asked, voicing her thoughts.
    “Do what?” Jason switched off the motor and handed her the key before jumping off the boat onto the cement walkway.
    “Just take over.”
    “Sorry. Habit, I guess,” he said, offering a quick grin while tying off the lines to the moorings. Once done, he hopped back on board.
    Claire ignored the smile, and they spent the next few minutes in silence securing the boat. Once they were ready to leave, Jason went ahead. On the dock, he pivoted and extended an outstretched hand. Their gazes met, and she had this overwhelming urge to turn and run — well away from him and his all-knowing, all-seeing eyes. She stifled the urge, grabbed his offered hand, and stepped off the boat.
    “You can ride with me to the sheriff’s office,” he said as they headed in the direction of the marina’s parking lot.
    “That’s okay. I’ll follow you. My car’s right over there.” She nodded as she glanced at her Lexus four-by-four, and then swallowed hard when she spied Carl’s car parked in the next spot.
    She increased her speed and was almost jogging by the time she neared the cherry-red Corvette. As she inspected it closely, a feeling of dread nestled in the pit of her stomach. The empty car appeared exactly as it had when Carl climbed out two days ago, which emphasized the fact that something terrible had happened. Nothing short of death would keep him from his prized Corvette.
    “Come on. You’re in no condition to drive,” Jason murmured. He grabbed her arm and started in the opposite direction.
    Warmth spread where his hand touched. She stiffened and would have jerked free, but he held her arm with a vice-like grip.
    “Will you stop doing that?” she snapped. It felt as if he was taking over, crowding her.
    He ignored her protests, not slowing until he stood beside a silver Mercedes. When he hit the keyless entry, the lights flashed. He opened the passenger door and guided her inside.
    After a short drive, he pulled into the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office