Shockwave (Calendar Men: Mr. May) Read Online Free PDF Page B

gaze. “I know how this appears, but it’s not what you think.”
    Red exploded across his field of view. “Stop. I can’t believe you can look me straight in the eyes and tell me you didn’t expect to see me here, and then you happen to need something else from me when I had my hand on your crotch. Coincidence doesn’t happen, Lannie. I’m not buying your story.”
    “It’s true. I didn’t know you’d be here, and I didn’t plan for what happened here—the kiss the—situation to go that way.”
    “Right. And you just happened to be dressed like that—without panties? Come on, Lannie. Do you think I’m stupid? You hoped to seduce me to get what you wanted.”
    “I know you’re not stupid, and I’m not playing some kind of game. I’m telling the truth.”
    “I call bullshit.” How could he have been so stupid? None of it could be called an accident. The whole evening had all been orchestrated. She’d tracked him here and planned everything, and he’d bought her little performance hook, line, and f’ing sinker. “You have some serious nerve.”
    “Whatever you think my reason is, it’s not why I kissed you, or let you touch me.”
    “Don’t bother trying to explain. You’ve done enough. Our little grope fest was a big mistake, and if you think I’m going to make another one by letting you plaster my picture everywhere again, for God knows what, you are about to come face-to-face with reality.” He grabbed her shoulders, moved her out of the way, and threw the door open with a loud bang. “Good-bye, Ms. Sawyer.” Tanner strode to the group of women standing beside the nurses’ station, watching him. “Something has come up.”
    “We heard,” Lannie’s grandmother said. “Everything.”
    His face grew hot and he looked away. Yeah, they knew what they’d been doing in behind the closed door. No surprise there. “I’ll be back tomorrow night to finish your story.” He nodded and headed for the exit as Lannie stepped out, her clothes rumpled. One shoe had come off in the manhandling, enforcing his image as a villain. To top off her woman-in-distress appearance, her hair had fallen half out of the bun and she had beard burn on her neck and face. And the pièce de résistance—tears in her eyes.
    He looked like a complete ass, but he wouldn’t let her manipulate him. Women like her didn’t cry, unless they thought the display would get them something. With nothing left to say, he turned away and walked out the door. Better he ended this now. They were like oil and water, even though they’d mixed pretty well in the closet, creating chemistry that he could only describe as combustible.
    She’d turned him to steam, responded as if she’d been made for him, and proved a redhead could be his type. Walking away took all his strength and several times he’d almost turned around to go back, and of all things, make sure he hadn’t hurt her. He knew then he was screwed. Shit . Maybe not right now, but sometime in the near future he would go back. One taste of Lannie Sawyer would never be enough—even if she wanted to use him.
     
    “So did you...?”
    “Noni, oh hell no.” She hid her face in her hands. Of course they’d think they had sex with some of the things yelled back and forth behind the closed door, and the hand-on-the-crotch comment he’d all but shouted out. Plus, if they factored in her mauled and well-manhandled appearance when she came out, they’d draw one conclusion—and had.
    “Watch your mouth, young lady. You know how I feel about cussing.”
    “No. We didn’t and we never will. That man is an...arrogant...a....ooh.” She growled and stomped her foot. “Egotistical, self-righteous, womanizing....ahhh!” So many choices, none appropriate in present company.
    Noni shook her head and pulled her into a hug. “Don’t, Lannie. Tanner wants you something fierce, and he’s not a bad guy. From the glazed-over expression on you’re wearing, I’d say the feeling is