Stranger in my Arms Read Online Free PDF Page B

Alex off her feet, kissing her cheek.
    Alex, her face flushed, made her way through the crowd. Merrick took two long strides and thrust the flute at her. “I believe you could use this.”
    She went completely still, only her chest rising and falling from the vigorous exertion, and stared at Merrick as if seeing him for the first time. There was a pause before she took the glass. Raising it to her lips, she took one sip, then another.
    â€œThank you.”
    Merrick inclined his head. “You’re quite welcome.”
    Resting a hand in the small of her back, he led her away from the crowd. He wanted to talk to Alex, but didn’t want anyone to overhear what he wanted to say to her.
    Her spine stiffened against his arm. “Where are you taking me?”
    â€œRelax, Ali,” he said, leaning closer.
    â€œWhy should I when you haven’t answered my question?”
    His hand moved up to her narrow waist. “I want to ask you something.”
    She gave him a sidelong glance. “I thought you wanted to dance, not talk.”
    â€œWe’ll dance later.” Alex stopped suddenly, causing Merrick to plow into her. She would’ve lost her balance if his reflexes were slower. Wrapping both arms around her body, he pulled her against his length. “Careful.”
    His breath whispered over an ear, and she felt a shudder of awareness of the man cradling her to his hard, lean body, awareness that she’d found herself attracted to a stranger when there was no room in her life for romantic fantasies.
    â€œYou can let me go now.” He dropped his arms and she pointed to a cushioned wrought-iron bench under a magnolia tree. “We can talk here.”
    Merrick waited for Alex to sit before he sat down beside her. She took another swallow of champagne, handing him the half-empty flute. Cradling the stem of the glass between his thumb and forefinger, he fixed his gaze on the pale sparkling wine. There was a comfortable silence, neither seemingly wanting to initiate conversation.
    He shattered the silence and asked, “Are you into women?”
    A soft gasp escaped Alex’s parted lips when she processed his query. “What!”
    â€œDo you prefer women to men?” Merrick asked, this time rephrasing his question.
    She gave him a hostile glare. “No. Why would you ask me that?”
    â€œBecause you said you didn’t date.”
    Her nostrils flared in anger. “Because I told you that I don’t date you assume I’m into women?”
    Merrick lifted his eyebrows. “There was always the possibility.”
    She met his challenging stare with one of her own. “The answer is no, Merrick. I am not into women.”
    Rising to his feet, Merrick extended his free hand. “I’m ready for that dance now.”
    Alex shook her head. “No, Merrick.” She patted the cushion beside her. “Please sit down.” Waiting until he retook his seat, she turned and stared at his distinctive profile. She was certain he could hear the runaway beating of her heart that echoed in her ears like a kettledrum. Ana was right. Merrick Grayslake was exotic and caliente!
    â€œWhy should my sexual preference matter to you when you’re here with a woman? Could it be you were afraid I’m going to make a play for her? And if you are, then I must disappoint you because I’m not into threesomes.”
    Merrick turned and looked at Alex as if she’d just grown a third eye. “Are you always this outspoken?”
    â€œYes,” she answered quickly.
    More amused than insulted, he smiled at her face in the diffused artificial light. “I’m not here with a woman. The young lady you saw me with works with Jolene. We met at a party at Michael’s house in Georgetown a few months back. I, too, am not into threesomes, or foursomes. I’m a very private person, and if by chance I sleep with a woman, then there will be only the two of us