Tell Me Lies Read Online Free PDF Page B

feeling that had come over her on the street flowed through her again, and the room felt like it was spinning.
    She became dimly aware of Reid looking at her, asking her if she’d invited someone over.
    “Alexis?” he asked. “You okay?”
    “I’m fine,” she said. Or at least, she thought she said it. She suddenly felt completely disconnected from her body, almost like she was watching herself in a movie or on television.
    “Alexis?” Reid crossed the room. “You’re pale,” he said, looking at her with concern. “Are you having another panic attack?”
    “I don’t know,” she said. She felt dizzy, and her fingers were numb.
    “Here,” he said, sitting down next to her. “Put your head between your legs.”
    She did as she was told.
    “Just take deep breaths,” he said. He had his arm around her shoulders, his hand holding hers.
    She kept breathing until she felt her heart starting to slow.
    “That’s it,” he said, rubbing her back. “Nice and slow.”
    The buzzer rang again.
    Reid looked at her. “I’m guessing that whoever that is,” he said, “you don’t want me to let them in.”
    She shook her head. “No,” she said. “I don’t.”

Chapter Four
    Reid looked at Alexis, sitting there next to him on the couch.
    She seemed so smal and vulnerable. His heart clenched as he remembered the look of fear that had crossed her face when she realized she was having another panic attack.
    He wanted to push her on who, exactly, was downstairs, but he had a feeling she didn’t want to talk about it.
    So he got up and crossed to the intercom, and said, “Send them away, Charlie.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Thank you,” Alexis said. The color was returning to her face now, and her hands weren’t shaking anymore.
    He sat back down next to her. “You’re welcome.”
    They sat in silence for a moment.
    “Do you want something to drink?” Reid asked. “I could make you a coffee or a tea.”
    She looked at him incredulously. “You have coffee and tea?”
    “Yeah.” He grinned at her, deciding to lighten the mood. “I keep it on hand for when I bring women over.”
    She shook her head and gave him a look like she couldn’t believe what a pig he was. For some reason, even though he’d made the joke, it bothered him. He liked it better when she’d been looking at him with thanks and adoration.
    It was an uncomfortable feeling, realizing that he craved her approval. He didn’t even know this woman. Why would he give a shit what she thought about him? He headed to the kitchen and brewed her a decaf coffee, which she flavored with cream and about five sugars.
    He watched her as she drank. The basebal game was stil on in the background, but he’d completely forgotten about it. He knew she probably didn’t want to talk about what was going on, but had the right to know. There was obviously someone she didn’t want to see, someone who knew she was at his apartment.
    “Alexis – ” Reid started gently.
    But she cut him off. “So about this Yankees-Mets thing…”
    “Alexis.”
    She looked down at the cup in front of her and wrapped her hands around the mug. She shivered a little bit and took a slow sip. “Fine,” she said, looking at him. Her blue eyes were dark. “I’m running from something.”

    He nodded. “Something? Or someone?”
    “Someone.”
    “An ex-boyfriend?”
    She nodded.
    “Okay.” This, he could accept. Ex-boyfriends didn’t worry him. Reid had a lot of experience with crazy ex-boyfriends.
    One time a girl he’d brought home from a bar had to cal the police because her ex-boyfriend showed up at his apartment.
    Ex-boyfriends could be handled with fists and if it came down to it, law enforcement. It was much better than drugs or money laundering or anything like that.
    “So what’s the deal?” he asked.
    “What do you mean?”
    “Alexis.” He sat back down on the couch. “You need to tel me what’s going on.”
    She shook her head. “Look,” she said, “if you