Undercover Heat Read Online Free PDF Page A

“I’m a top story now,” he grumbled. “They follow me like flies on shit.”
    “I know. The whole Layla thing is pretty big news. I’m sorry, by the way. That must be hard to go through something so personal so publicly.”
    “What can I say? I do my best to keep the world entertained at all costs.” He tilted his head to meet her gaze. “Come on, Carrie. Don’t tell me you’re surprised. You were the one who warned me about her.”
    “Where did you meet up with her again anyway?”
    “Vegas. At one of those burlesque shows. After she left her assistant job at ‘Undercover Heat,’ she worked at one of the hotels out there. Anyway, we met up one night. A few bottles of wine and a drive-thru chapel later, we were married. Eight months after that she left me for Marcy the dog walker.”
    “Wow. That must be hard to deal with.”
    “Ye ah, I miss the dog like crazy.”
    He tweaked the bill of his cap and sat back in his seat. Flippant had never been Ty’s style, especially about something like marriage. Although it was obvious the man in front of her was a variation of the original. His eyes looked tired, his shoulders hunched. His smile looked like he worked at it. What a sharp change from the charismatic man she remembered.
    A burst of winter air followed a breathless man through the door. He held a white t-shirt in his hand and scanned the room, before jogging to their table. “I found you a shirt. I stole it from wardrobe at Entertainment Now.”
    “Hey Manny, this is Carrie Ann Langley. Carrie, this is my assistant, Manny Pipher.”
    “The Incredible Carrie Ann is more like it. An honor to meet you.” H e extended his hand and smiled.
    Ty stood up and slipped off his leather jacket. A collective female gasp filled the diner when he revealed his incredible tanned physique. Carrie averted her eyes. No need for her to look. Every inch of the man’s body was etched in her brain. Even so, seeing him in person instead of her dreams was something she wasn’t prepared for. Again, she referred back to the lunch specials.
    “I brought two of your usuals.” Stacy slid a tray full of burgers and fries in front of them. Soda sloshed over the sides of the plastic cups when she caught a glimpse of Ty’s sculpted pects. “You need anything else, give me a holler.”
    “Thanks.” Manny snagged Carrie’s plate and scooped the burger to his mouth .
    “Hey, what the hell did you do think you’re doing?” Ty shoved him on the shoulder, knocking the bacon clear from the bun. “That was for her.”
    “It’s okay.” Carrie insisted, pushing the plate closer toward Manny. “Go ahead. I had a big breakfast.”
    “Carrie, I’m ordering something else for you.” Ty signaled for Stacey across the diner. “It’s a long ride back to Middle Valley , and I want something in your stomach.”
    “But... ”
    “How about a piece of pie? Apple ’s still your favorite, right?”
    “Ty. ”
    “How about some ice tea. Lemon and sugar?”
    “But it’s not necessary.”
    “Damn it, Carrie. Yes, it is!” His fist landed on the table, knocking the silverware to the floor. Something flickered behind the whites of his blood shot eyes. A strange variation of anger, maybe fear, even sadness that had her glued to her vinyl seat. Manny too, it seemed, had appeared to have stopped chewing mid-bite.
    The roomful of people probably still stared, but it didn’t matter. The world always seemed to fade away when she was with him. She opened her eyes wide, daring him to blink. Who would back down? Not her, and stalemates were not their style.
    “Hey Ty,” Manny mumbled. “You have big plans this afternoon, and Carrie Ann seems to have stuff to do to. Maybe we should wrap this up.”
    “Damn it, Manny, I’m having lunch with an old friend here.”
    “No, he’s right.” Carrie refused to look away first. “I need to get going. And I don’t want to wreck your schedule. I’m sure you have other things to do, business