The Switch Read Online Free PDF

back, and he wished she would remove her sunglasses so he could see if her eyes lived up to the rest of her face. Particularly her mouth. Her mouth made him believe in sin.
    When she lifted her foot from the brake pedal and applied it to the accelerator, the hem of her dress rode up an inch or so above her knee. The fabric made a sexy rasping sound against her ultra-sheer hosiery. Nice sound. Even nicer knee.
    "What would you like?"
    His eyes shot from her thigh to her face. "Pardon?"
    "I have bottled water and soft drinks in the cooler on the floorboard behind me."
    "Oh. Uh, nothing, thanks."
    "I was told to prepare you for a large turnout tonight. You know about the press conference beforehand?"
    "Second-level lobby."
    She nodded. "It's limited to those holding a special pass. Keep in mind that the dinner officially begins at seven-thirty, but the press conference doesn't have to last until then. You're to give me a high sign whenever you're ready to stop, whether it's after five questions or fifty. At your signal I'll make your excuses and hustle you toward the ballroom for the banquet. That way, I'm the bad guy."
    "I don't think anyone would believe that."
    "That I'm the bad guy?"
    "That you're any kind of guy."
    She wasn't a fool; she knew flirting when she heard it. She gave him another glance out the side of her sunglasses. "Thank you."
    "Gillian?"
    "Hi, Jem."
    "Darling, I just checked my messages, and I'm delighted. You actually did it."
    "Just before lunch."
    "A nd?"
    "I'll know the result in a week."
    "When did you decide for sure?"
    "Yesterday. I had several bouts of cold feet and stomach butterflies, but I went through with it."
    "Why didn't you call me? I'd have gone with you. I would have liked being there."
    "I'm sorry, Jem. I really wanted it to be private. I didn't call sooner because I met my sister for lunch. It went too long. I almost didn't make my afternoon appointment, and only had time to talk to your home-number voice mail."
    "Did you tell Melina?" Before she could respond, he said, "Of course you told Melina. What does she think about it?" "She's excited that I'm excited."
    "I'm excited, too."
    "I'm glad. I appreciate you for backing my decision."
    "I have something for you. A surprise. I've had it for a while, waiting for you to make up your mind. I'd like to bring it over."
    She could hear the smile in his voice and knew he was eager to share his surprise. But she didn't want company. Trying to let him down gently, she said, "Jem, I know we made plans to see each other tonight, but would you take a rain check?"
    "Is something wrong? Don't you feel well?"
    "I feel fine. Just very tired. It was... an extremely emotional experience. More so than I counted on. I didn't realize until afterward how emotionally involving it was going to be."
    "In what way? Did you get upset? Cry?"
    "Nothing that demonstrative. It's hard to explain."
    "You had me convinced that it was a sterile, clinical procedure."
    "It was."
    "Then I don't understand how it could be so emotionally.. . What was the word? Involving?"
    Jem was wont to overanalyze everything. Tonight especially she didn't welcome his analysis. Trying to keep the irritation out of her voice, she said, "I just need some time alone. To think about it. Things. Can't we just leave it at that?"
    "Sure, we can leave it at that." By his tone she could tell that he was hurt. "I would think you'd want some loving support on a night as momentous as this. Obviously I was wrong." Immediately she regretted shutting him out. Why hadn't she taken the more expedient route and agreed to his coming over and delivering his gift? It would have cost her far less stress.
    But before she could extend another invitation, he said brusquely, "I'll call you later, Gillian," and hung up.
     

CHAPTER 3
    Ms. Lloyd, I left your car right over there so you wouldn't have to wait in line."
    As soon as Chief and Melina exited the hotel following the banquet, the valet materialized and