Taming McGruff (Book 3, Once Upon A Romance Series) Read Online Free PDF

his thumping heart. She didn’t bite, but she could do a whole lot more damage than leave teeth marks. She already had.
     
    ***
     
    The sound of rushing water woke Priscilla. She blinked her eyes open, and then frowned. Recollection returned. “Drat!” She bolted upright. “Griff,” she whispered, realizing he was in the shower.
    Gray light peeked in the windows. The rain had eased up to a soft drizzle.
    The alarm clock on the floor beside the bed flashed twelve. Well, the lights had come back on, she reasoned, but she had no idea what time of the morning it was.
    Looking down, she checked to make sure all her clothes were still on. Prissy shouldn’t have been concerned; he didn’t even try to kiss her. Half of her was relieved. What would she have done if he’d tried anything? The other half was disappointed. What would it feel like to kiss him on the lips?
    The water stopped running. She scrambled out of bed. Looking around for a mirror, she mumbled under her breath. “Who doesn’t have a mirror?”
    Gazing at the rumpled covers, she wondered if she should make the bed. Was there etiquette for adult sleepovers?
    Rustling from the closet cued her into the fact he must have another door connecting the bathroom to his off-limits space and he was in there now. She smiled at that. What could be so secretive?
    Prissy made her way to the bathroom, knocking softly on the door just in case. No answer. “The coast is clear,” she whispered and snuck in. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. “Good Lord, what in the world?” Her strawberry blonde hair stuck up in strange directions. “Rico would have a fit if he saw me looking like this.” Quickly, she raked her fingers through her bangs, taming them to the side, and then finger combed the layers so the length curled under to rest along her neck and fluffed up the crown area. She splashed water on her face. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted his toothbrush and toothpaste.
    She shook her head at the toothbrush. I don’t know him that well . But she did grab for the paste and within seconds squirted a dollop on her index finger. Scrubbing her teeth and then rinsing her mouth made her feel almost human again.
    After using the facilities, she came out of the bathroom. No sign of McGruff. Maybe he’d gone downstairs.
    More sounds came from the closet. Curious, she tip-toed to it, easing the door open. His bare back was to her as he tugged up the zipper on his jeans. “Wow,” she mouthed at the sight of his broad shoulders. The overhead light beamed down on his skin; the area near his left shoulder seemed shinier. Then she looked closer, seeing the long, jagged scar running from his shoulder to shoulder blade. “Griff,” she gasped.
    He turned quickly, revealing the wound continued and ran down the front of his shoulder and ended near his heart. Reaching out, he yanked a soft blue denim shirt off its hanger. The wooden object swung wildly, and then fell on the floor. “You shouldn’t be in here.”
    Priscilla came all the way into the barely filled walk-in closet, halting in front of him. “No, don’t cover it.”
    Something in her tone must have stopped him. He stilled.
    Lifting her hand, she touched the wound, gingerly running her fingers over the slightly puckered skin. In the back of her mind, she noted the straight line with pricks on either side. Surgery. But there were places where the edges blurred, weren’t as neat. Something had torn through his flesh. “How?”
    His hooded stare watched her. “In combat.”
    Those two short, clipped words spoke volumes. She shook her head, stemming a sudden rush of tears. “So much pain.” Without thinking, she leaned forward, kissing him there.
    His swift, sharp breath whizzed past her cheek. But he didn’t push her away.
    She rested her head against his chest, closing her eyes and wrapping her arms around him. His heart thumped beneath her ear.
    For long moments, he did nothing. Then he surprised