Slightly Irregular Read Online Free PDF

Besides, if I made this a freebie, he owed me. It’salways good to have a man in your debt. “Don’t be silly. I’m not taking your money.”
    “I’m not comfortable taking advantage of you. Especially not when I inconvenienced you on such short notice.”
    “No inconvenience,” I insisted. “Happy to help.” I was impressed that I’d made that sound so sincere. There was an awkward silence before I added, “I’d better be on my way. I have a brunch tomorrow.”
    “You have quite the social schedule,” he remarked as I moved to pass him in the hallway leading to the door.
    Almost reflexively he pulled my pashmina up on my shoulder. The feel of his hand brushing my skin was enough to cause a jolt through my whole system. It was definitely time to make a speedy exit. “I’ll see you on Monday.”
    “Thanks, Finley.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    My shoulder still tingled as I slipped behind the wheel of my car. I toyed with the idea of stopping off at the Circle K for another cup of coffee, but my desire to get home won out. A decision I regretted when I turned into my drive and saw the battered Mustang parked in front of my cottage.
    Liam sat perched on the step with a bottle of beer in his right hand. A surge of renewed irritation had me fantasizing about running over his feet, but I knew better.
    After parking, I stepped from the car and made sure my face conveyed my feelings about babysitting and board games.
    “Nice dress,” he commented, then rose to his full height of six-three while his eyes ran up and down my body like a caress.
    “Thanks. You can leave now.”
    He grinned, the sparkle of amusement visible in the slice of illumination from my porch light. “Not very hospitable of you.”
    “It’s late. I’m tired, and you’re annoying.”
    “And you suck at Scrabble.”
    How did he know these things?
    “Izzy sent me a text,” he said, as if reading my thoughts.
    That explained why her cell phone was never out of arm’s reach.
    “Yes, I do,” I agreed. I carefully sidestepped him as I dug out my house keys.
    “So how was babysitting? Hope Tony paid you enough to cover the cost of that new getup.”
    Getup? A two-thousand-dollar head-to-toe makeover was not a getup . And how did he know it was new? I shook my head slightly, clearing away the thought. “I enjoyed myself.” As I said the words I realized I’d meant them. But that still didn’t get me past my anger over Liam turning me into a modern-day Mary Poppins. “Thanks for the referral.” I’d make him pay later. Right now I just wanted to get inside. “Why are you here?”
    “Just making sure you got home safely.”
    “I’m safe, so your job here is done. Don’t you have a thing you can go to?”
    “Yeah. I thought I’d come in for a drink.”
    “Well, you thought wrong.”
    “Anyone ever tell you you’re sexy as hell when you’re angry?”
    “Not lately. Go home, Liam.”
    He reached out and gently closed his hand around my arm. I had no choice but to tilt my head back so our eyes locked. “Are you sure?” he asked, his voice deep, sensual, and way too inviting.
    Hesitation was my downfall. Liam noticed it, so there was no point in pretending that, in spite of my better judgment, I was immune to his charms. “One drink,” I said, more for my own benefit.
    “That’s all I’m asking for.”
    We went inside, and even though the contractor had arranged the space to give the illusion of grandeur, Liam’s presence made it seem small and close.
    “Beer, or are you going to make some girly drink?” he asked, offering a beer in my direction.
    “Beer is fine,” I said as I placed my purse and pashmina on the countertop.
    Liam had been in my house for less than a minute and already the temperature seemed to be soaring. Maybe if I put some physical distance between us …?
    As I started to move away, he slid his hand around my waist and kept me close. Taking the bottle from me, he placed it next to his and took a