The Claiming Read Online Free PDF

head. “Not in so many words.”
    She frowned at that. “In any words?”
    â€œIn the ones that matter.” Cole stroked Sasha’s collar, perhaps to see if the other woman noticed and would have a clue to its meaning.
    From all appearances, she didn’t seem to. “I was married. We divorced last year.”
    â€œI’m sorry to hear that.”
    Mary Catherine laughed. “I’m sure as hell not. He was an arse and a bore. I was glad to get rid of him. Do you have any kids? I have three.”
    â€œNo. No, children.”
    Now
she looked at Sasha. “That’s too bad. Infertility?”
    â€œNothing of the sort. Just not ready to give up the hot-as-hell sex. Plus, I hear your boobs get flabby. And you have to deal with diapers and colic and driving and college. And did I mention I’m not ready to give up the hot-as-hell sex?”
    Cole coughed, obviously trying to cover up his laugh. But in front of them, Mary Catherine’s eyes blazed.
    â€œI think that’s just selfish,” she said.
    Sasha shrugged. “That’s because you’ve never had sex so good it lasts for days and an orgasm so intense you black out.” Her work here was done. She patted Cole’s chest. “I’ll leave you two old friends to catch up. I’ll be waiting for you in the dining room, naked. We still have to christen the table.”
    ***
    â€œShe’s lovely,” Mary Catherine said, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
    â€œShe’s incredible.” Cole watched Sasha’s retreating backside with a combination of pride and desire. Holy hell, she was sexy as fuck when she put Mary Catherine in her place.
    â€œIs that really what you look for in a woman?”
    Cole bit back the angry reply and asked calmly, “Why are you here, Mary Catherine?”
    â€œI told you, to welcome you back home.”
    â€œThis is not home. This is an investment property. Home is in the States, where I’ll be returning in less than a week.”
    She didn’t appear to give his remark any thought. Instead, she walked around the barn, looking over everything. “Lots of memories here. Do you remember?”
    â€œOf course.” He needed her to leave; he had a hot date waiting in the dining room. “Come on. Let me walk you to your car.”
    â€œDon’t I even get a hug? For old time’s sake?”
    â€œNo, I’m afraid not.” He started walking to the barn door.
    â€œShe doesn’t let you touch other women? Is she afraid she’ll lose you?”
    That was enough. He stopped dead in his tracks, turned around, and gave her the look that had earned him the nickname
Badass Brit
. Mary Catherine’s eyes grew wide with shock.
    He spoke slowly, “If you were a bloke, you’d already be knocked out on the floor for being so disrespectful toward Sasha. She is the best thing that ever happened to me and no one—I repeat,
no one—
will disrespect her. The best thing you can do is go back to your house and your children, and leave her alone. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m needed in my dining room.”
    He left her standing there, and didn’t look back to see if she stayed or left herself. Good Lord, he could have slapped his thirteen-year-old self. He used to fancy
that
? With a renewed purpose, he quickened his stride and made his way to the house. Once inside, he made a beeline to the dining room, only to find it empty.
    What the hell?
    â€œSasha?” he called. Where was she? He went to the morning room, where he’d found her earlier, but she wasn’t there. Nor was she in their bedroom. He stood near the window, trying to think of where she might be. A movement outside caught his attention.
    The greenhouse.
    He made it there in record time, and she gasped when he pushed the door open. She caught herself on her hands before she fell over into the pot of dirt she was mixing.
    â€œYou’re