Trial by Fire Read Online Free PDF Page A

uncertain, afraid, and at heart not convinced that the man she loved more than anything in the world could possibly love her as much.
    And now Laura was back. Vulnerable, needy, hurt. Ready and eager for comfort. The kind of woman that was Kryptonite to a big, tough, over-protective cop. And, as of last night, Laura became available.
    Erin startled, realizing that Nate was staring at her, a quizzical frown pinching his brow.
    His voice was low, concerned. “What is it, Erin?”
    Not wanting him to know what she was thinking and knowing how easily he could read her, Erin jumped up and made a pretense of clearing away the glasses. She turned away mumbling something about putting the glasses in the dishwasher. She took refuge in the horrific things he’d told her.
    “I’m upset about what you’ve told me. What a horrible crime.”
    Nate held her gaze. “Yeah, it is, Erin. But that’s not what’s going on in the whirling brain of yours, is it Erin?”
    She shook her head not wanting to talk, intent on making it to the kitchen.
    Nate’s voice was low, edged with steel. “Uh uh, Erin. Come here, baby.”
    “Don’t, Nate.”
    She tried to twist away, but he had a firm grip on her arm.
    “Don’t what, Erin? Don’t ask you why you are as jumpy as a scared little rabbit and won’t look at me when I ask you a question?”
    She tossed her head. “I’m not a rabbit, and I’m not scared.”
    Nate quirked a brow and his lip curled. But he didn’t speak, just kept looking at her with that questioning frown.
    She stepped back and glared at him. Her legs were shaky. She longed to grab hold of the chair or back of the sofa—anything for support. Gnawing on her bottom lip, she crossed her arms protectively over her chest suddenly becoming conscious of her naked body under the silly shirt. The last time she saw Laura was at the Mall. Laura was coming out of a high end lingerie shop and looked like the Victoria Secret model gracing the storefront windows. Only Laura was more striking. She was quite simply the most beautiful woman Erin had ever seen. Erin was painfully conscious of the difference. That day she wore ratty jeans, a tank top and flip flops. She and Nate were putting in an herb garden at the cabin and they’d run out of organic fertilizer. The superior smirk Laura threw her confirmed that the gorgeous woman knew who Erin was. Later Erin was horrified to see that in addition to no makeup, she had a big smear of dirt on her cheek. Then as now, she looked like a joke.
    “Erin. Come. Here.”
    Nate’s soft command sent shivers between her thighs. His eyes were emerald hard, but the crease on his cheek could mean he was angry or more likely, concerned. He reached out and pulled her closer to him. There was no way she could resist him. He was too big, too strong. And though she didn’t want to admit it, she wanted nothing more than to bury herself in the shelter of his arms. She closed her eyes not willing to let him see the moisture building behind her lids. But he wouldn’t let her hide.
    He put his thumb under her chin and tipped it up, not letting her look away. The deepening furrow between his brows confirmed he saw her tears. “First of all, I’m not finished with that wine. I’m thinking I might like a little more.” He took the bottle of wine and glasses from her and put them on the table.
    His voice was soft, firm. “Second, I don’t want you even as far away as the kitchen. Uh uh, baby, I want you right here with me. How about we sit down here?”
    Ignoring her squeak, he scooped her up in his arms and sat down in the oversized armchair where they spent many happy evenings cuddling before the fire. When she began to nestle against him wanting to hide against his hard chest, he shook his head.
    “No, Erin. We’re gonna deal with this. Here and now.”
    She did her best to pretend ignorance but her heart was pounding, and her mouth was too dry to swallow. She didn’t want to talk about Laura. She