The Problem with Paddy (Shrew & Company) Read Online Free PDF Page A

coffee table.
    “How long have you been doing this private eye gig?” he asked, slumping onto the opposite end of the chair and turning so his right arm draped the back. His green gaze on her was intense, but not uncomfortable. After all, she’d been stared down by much more malevolent opponents than Patrick O’Dwyer.
    “A couple of years. Durham Police booted me three years ago and it took me six months to get back on my feet.”
    “What happened? Got shot?”
    If only. That might have been easier .
    She shook her head and studied the back of her right hand. The same hand that’d been stabbed countless times with I.V. needles—some of which delivered relief, and some that had caused the problems she needed the relief from. When she cast her stare at him again, his expression had morphed from one of polite curiosity to outright concern.
    “I…” What would she normally have done when asked about that time in her life? She’d get defensive—put up some shield. Snap at the person. Tell them it was none of their business.
    But, what had that gotten her? Nothing, beyond more trust issues than she had even before she’d been a victim of the study. She closed her eyes and emptied her lungs, meditating on the sound of her wind—willing herself to be calm. Eyes open again.
    He watched her expectantly, curiously. How did this search mission turn into a therapy session for her?
    “No, I didn’t get shot. It’s a little more complicated than that.”
    He opened his mouth, but before he could follow up, she put up her hands. “Wait, you’re probably thinking my attitude got me fired. Insubordination, right?”
    His smile was answer enough.
    She gave him a playful jab and sucked her teeth.
    “It’s not like that, Patrick. I may be bitchy, but I was a damned good cop. That’s not bragging. It’s just truth. I got fired because of a physical issue beyond my control.”
    “Physical?”
    This time when he inspected her body with his penetrating gaze, it was as if she’d removed a layer of her shielding, leaving her vulnerable to his sight. Her skin prickled as he assessed her from eyes to ankles, and she wrapped her arms over her breasts to hide her traitorous nipples.
    “Nothing visible to the naked eye.”
    “I was gonna ask.”
    She figured she’d try him—use him as an experiment like she had been. See what it felt like to share something so very personal, that sounded so completely insane …even to her. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and worried at it as she bolstered her reserve.
    Come on, this guy is no different than any other man. You’re not scared of anyone.
    It was easy to be brave in her head, but her body wasn’t quite so courageous. Her booted foot tapped against the hardwood floor on its own volition. Her stomach clenched, sending torrents of acid up her throat. Her heart rate sped. Her cheeks burned.
    What’s wrong with me?
    His forehead furrowed, and he scooted over one seat to rest a hand on her shoulder. “It’s all right. You don’t have to say anything. I can tell it’s personal.”
    “I’mamutant,” she mumbled and slapped her hands over her mouth.
    Shit .
    His eyes went wide. “ Pardon ?”

CHAPTER FOUR
    Patrick didn’t think he’d heard her right. Did she say I’m a mutant ? That’s what her outburst had sounded like, and his hearing was a little better than the average man’s. He cocked up a brow. “I’m sorry?”
    She closed her eyes and cringed. “That didn’t come out right. It’s not something I’ve had to explain a whole lot other than to lawyers and the unemployment commission and so on.”
    “Lawyers?”
    “Do you like soap operas?” she asked, curiously.
    “Do I look I watch soap operas?” Hell, he didn’t even have a television at the cabin.
    Now it was her turn to eye him from head to toe. He hoped she found him nearly as attractive as he found her, although that was a tall order. Even when she was scowling, Dana Slade was one of the