Texan Undercover (Romantic Suspense) Read Online Free PDF Page B

gluing together shards of Anasazi
pottery. His idea of a grand old time."
    "You like him, don't you?" Claire bit into
the puff pastry. The creamy concoction dissolved in her mouth with
an explosion of sweetness on her taste buds. No, they really
couldn't afford to fire Richard the artiste .
    "What can I say?" Natalie shrugged. "I have a
weakness for guys in wire-rimmed glasses."
    "You are so weird, Nat."
    "Don't knock it. Glasses can be sexy,
especially if that's all the guy is wearing."
    Claire shook her head at her friend. "You're
also shameless."
    "Hey, I like men. All types. All flavors."
Natalie grinned. "He finally asked me out."
    "Shy, quiet Frank asked you out?
Congratulations," Claire said. "You've been dying to date him. Now
you have your wish. When's the big night?"
    "Saturday. Think you can fill in for me? It
might be busy. All the kids have returned from winter break and
classes started last week. They're a little wild."
    "Busy is good and I think I can handle the
wild. Go and have a good time. Don't worry about anything
here."
    "Thanks, Claire. You're the greatest--" A
crash in the kitchen, followed by a string of loud curses,
interrupted Natalie.
    "Sounds like Richard's in unusual form this
morning," Claire said.
    Natalie hopped out of her chair. "I better go
see what all the fuss is about."
    "I'll come, too."
    When Claire entered the kitchen, it was like
stepping into the middle of a television sitcom. Her head chef
stood near the industrial-sized refrigerator wielding a wooden
spoon. He was screaming at someone bent over in the opened fridge.
Claire swallowed hard. She had a pretty good idea who that
denim-clad bottom belonged to.
    " Imbecile! Out of my kitchen! I do not
allow such a one near my pastries." Richard advanced cautiously
toward the fridge. His two assistants ignored him and kept working
at the stainless steel counter, preparing that day's menu
items.
    "Cool your jets, Pierre. I'll get out of your
precious kitchen as soon as I find something to eat. I'm tired of
all the sweets. Why don't you cook real food? A sausage and biscuit
would go down good right now." Dillon unfolded his tall frame from
his crouched position and turned to face the irate chef.
    "I would rather die than make this, what you
call it? Sausage and biscuit." Richard lifted his chin and glared
at Dillon.
    "I could easily arrange that. Especially if
you throw more pots at me."
    Richard sniffed. "Leave now and I will
refrain from further violence." He jerked his left arm out,
pointing the way to the door. His eyes widened when he noticed
Claire and Natalie. The little man rushed across the room.
" Mademoiselle Maxwell, you will persuade this imbecile to leave immediately. I cannot perform my duties
with such people near me."
    Claire watched Dillon move toward them. The
Frenchman almost cowered as the big man stopped beside him. But the
chef stood his ground and lifted his chin even higher. Richard
Lareau might be small in stature, but he was no wimp. The
dark-haired, dark-eyed chef had emigrated from France and attended
UT Austin, where he had majored in the culinary arts. Claire knew
he was biding his time at e*Claire's until he found a position at a
prestigious restaurant.
    " Mademoiselle ?" Richard clasped the
spoon in front of him.
    Dillon turned to face her. "Yes, Mademoiselle? "
    For the past week, Claire had tried not to
think about Dillon Anderson. His striking good looks. His bedroom
eyes. His hard mouth. She'd tried, but he'd constantly crept into
her thoughts anyway.
    Now, with him standing so close, latent
hormones stood to attention. Broad shoulders filled the brown cable
sweater. Strong muscled thighs strained against the denim of his
jeans. His hazel eyes invited her to share in the absurdity of the
situation. She hadn't realized he had a sense of humor. His lazy
grin speared her through the chest.
    If she smiled, Claire risked offending the
sensitive chef. She covered her mouth and coughed. "Natalie, take
care of