Sighs Matter Read Online Free PDF

louder.
    She glared at him. How dare he show up here instead of Soldier. How dare he have mutated from the nice, easygoing guy she’d met a year ago into this surly, overbearing, macho jerk simply because she’d . . .
    Dammit. This was the millennium of casual, mutually satisfying, no-strings-attached sex, wasn’t it? They had both been consenting adults that night. Words like love and commitment hadn’t entered the conversation, what conversation there had been. So why was he so defensive?
    Claire concealed her hurt with a mask of nonchalance. Though she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing it, his attitude toward her stung. She had romantic memories of making love with Taylor. He’d been a caring and generous lover, tender, endearing, and it had torn her to pieces to leave him in the morning, to decide never to see him again when what she wanted with all her heart was to stay wrapped in his arms night after night.
    What did a woman do when she found a man like Taylor, and realized she had to give him up? The only thing she could do was go, and not look back.
    As she stood there, her knees gave out and she slumped back into her chair. He was beside her before her bottom hit the seat, his hand gripping her arm, concern in his eyes.
    “You’re not okay. Dammit, I knew it.” He crouched in front of her. His worried gaze flitted over every inch of her face and body. “I’m taking you to the hospital, whether you—”
    “Not necessary,” she groused. “I’m fine. It’s been a long day, and I’m exhausted.” She eyed him. “What did you say to that detective? He sure treated me a lot nicer after he talked to you.”
    With a broad and charming grin, he said, “I told him you’re my fiancée.”
    She blinked about a thousand times and widened her eyes to stare up at him.
    “You what ? Why ?”
    He shrugged. “Felt like it.”
    “That is so stupid.”
    “I know. But I thought it might be easier to convince him I wasn’t going to let you out of my sight until I got you home, safe and sound. They’re still checking out your story, so you’re not clear quite yet.”
    He grinned into her eyes, and her anger melted just a teensy-weensy bit.
    “So when we leave,” he instructed, “keep your mouth shut and your eyes adoringly on me—at least until we get to my truck.”
    “I think I’m going to be sick.”
    “You need to use the bathroom?”
    “Not really,” she said dryly. “It’s just the thought of being engaged to you has had an adverse effect on my digestion.”
    Tilting his head, he eyed her and sighed. “Damn. And to think we used to be so close.”

Chapter 3
     
     
    Enema
Unfriendly female.
     
    Taylor stood over Claire, assessing her condition. Her posture told him she was beyond exhaustion. Her beautiful brown eyes were red and swollen. The bump on her skull had to be throbbing.
    Maybe he should carry her.
    Yeah, and maybe he’d like a knee to his groin, he thought. Unless she was unconscious, he’d be wise to proceed with caution.
    But the thought of Claire’s body in his arms again sent his heart knocking against his ribs. Even after all these months, he was attracted to her as strongly as if she were magnetic north.
    “Can you make it out to my truck?” he ventured. “Maybe I should carry you.”
    She sent him a miffed glance, fiddled with her hair, and straightened her shoulders.
    “Detective, there are only two conditions under which I’d let you carry me anywhere.”
    “Okay.” He sighed. “I’ll bite.”
    She held up her index finger. “One involves a toe tag . . .” She closed her fingers into a fist. “And the other a white dress and a threshold.”
    “Dead or wed, huh?”
    “Mm-hmm.” She pressed her lips together, then smiled far too sweetly. “And since neither event is likely to happen, lead the way. I’ll be right behind you.”
    She still looked woozy to him, so he reached for her arm. She shook him off. Jesus, she was as stubborn as a