The Opposite of Wild Read Online Free PDF Page A

expecting him, but even so, the effect in the small space was instantaneous. Heat flooded her body—embarrassment and her strange attraction for him battled for supremacy. You’d think The Humiliation would’ve killed that . Beet red won out.
    He closed the space between them. “Liz?” His eyes widened. “Liz Garner?”
    She jumped up. “Ryan, hello.”
     

Chapter Four
    He shut his gaping mouth with a snap. She was unrecognizable from the last time he’d seen her. She was the same age as Shane, so she must have been thirteen that summer. She’d been round all over, her too-tight orange swimsuit had made her look like, well, an orange. Now, she was thin. He gave her a quick once-over from her small but perky rack down to her toes, lingering at her narrow waist and the curve of her hips. And her face looked so different—she had cheekbones, a dusting of freckles across her nose, blue eyes, full lips. Silky, smooth, blond hair. Damn, Liz Garner was beautiful.
    Except for the uptight librarian clothes. Her shirt was buttoned all the way to the top, and her beige pants had an ironed crease on each leg. He wondered if she ironed her underwear.
    “Stop your staring, Ryan,” Gran said with some amusement. “It’s rude.”
    His brain kicked back into gear. “Good to see you again, Liz,” he said, shaking her hand. He took the seat next to his grandmother on the sofa. “Gran.”
    “I don’t need a babysitter,” Gran informed him.
    Like a splash of cold water, reality took hold again. “Liz is not a babysitter. She does elder care.”
    “I’m an elder care provider,” Liz chimed in.
    “I don’t need that either,” Gran said.
    “Gran, don’t be unreasonable. We’re worried about you. You have to admit, stealing my Harley is not something you would have done before the accident.”
    She lifted her chin. “Maybe I should have. Though I think there’s something wrong with it. I never got it to go more than ten miles per hour. You should take it into the shop, have them take a look at it.”
    Ryan rubbed his forehead. “You probably never got out of first gear. You have to…never mind.” He shot Liz a look. Help me out here.
    Liz sat up straighter, if that was possible. “Mrs. O’Hare, please. Ryan hoped that my visits might keep you safe, since I’m one of the safest people he knows—”
    “Just look at her.” He gestured toward Liz. “She’s like the opposite of wild.”
    Liz looked thoughtful and, strangely, a little sad. “I suppose I am.” She smiled at Gran and said the perfect thing, “I know you don’t need a babysitter. I can see that. But how about a friend? As a teacher, I have the summer free. What if we just spent some time together as friends?”
    Gran’s expression softened. “I’d like that. My best friend, Rita, died a few months back, and I’d love a friend I didn’t have to worry about keeling over at any moment.” She shook her head. “Damn depressing getting old, Liz. Don’t do it.”
    “Then it’s settled,” Ryan said, relieved.
    “Stop by tomorrow, Liz, we’ll go shopping.” She handed Liz her cell. “Put your number in my contacts.”
    Liz did as she was told and took Gran’s number too. She stood. “I’m going to get going, but I’ll see you tomorrow. Thank you for the tea.” She nodded at him and headed for the door.
    He watched her go, her tight, heart-shaped ass swaying as she walked away.
    “She’s changed, hasn’t she?” Gran asked after Liz stepped outside.
    Reluctantly, he turned back. “Yeah. I’ve got work.”
    He kissed her cheek and left, catching Liz sitting in her car, eyes closed, doing what looked like some kind of breathing exercise. He knocked on the driver’s side door.
    ~ ~ ~
    Liz nearly jumped out of her skin to see Ryan peering in the car at her when she’d been working so hard to get herself back under control. Her nerves couldn’t take many more encounters with him. “Yes?” she asked with what she hoped sounded like