Unmasked (Revealed #1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

trying to make sense of where the heck I was.
    Looking around, I saw the source of the ticking: a small, wooden clock on top of a chest of drawers, both of which looked to be antique – and completely unfamiliar. My clothes were heaped on and around the radiator, no change from the norm there, because I was habitually messy. But that was not my radiator, and this was definitely not my room.
    Where on earth was I?
    My eyes moved to the bedside table and the large mug sitting beside me, several dribbles of chocolate dried on its side, and that’s when I finally woke up properly and remembered.
    The job for Sarah, the sudden snow which had rendered my car useless, and Mr Magnificent and Moody.
    Of course. Picturing him again in all his glory I fell back on my pillows with a loud groan. I was in his house because he had dragged me here, muttering things about not having my death on his conscience. Not that I should really complain; he’d provided me with the most delicious hot chocolate I’d ever tasted and a bed so comfy that I had gone off like a log. My plan had just been to warm myself up under the covers while my clothes dried, but obviously tiredness had overtaken my senses because as I glanced at the window it definitely seemed to be light outside.
    Looking back at the clock in confusion I saw that it read eight o’clock. Eight p.m., or eight a.m.? I hadn’t slept the entire night, had I? It had been late afternoon by the time I’d finished the cooking and run to my car, so surely I’d just slept for two hours. Although if that were the case, I would have expected it to still be dark outside. In a sudden panic I quickly climbed from the cosy covers and ran to the window, hoping for two things: firstly, that it was still the same day, and secondly, that the snow would have melted.
    Both of my hopes were dashed the second I pulled back the plush curtain. It was definitely light, which indicated that it was morning, and unfortunately, the snow was still falling outside the window and lying in thick blankets around the garden. It was so dense that apart from the occasional dark tree branch here and there, I could barely see any colour other than white. Grimacing, I ran my hands through my hair in aggravation. What was this, a new ice age? I couldn’t remember a winter where it had snowed in England like this.
    Considering I’d just spent the night in a strange house, in a strange bed, I must have slept incredibly well, because apart from my dismay at being trapped, I actually felt rather good. Physically speaking, anyway. Mentally, I was dreading having to see the house owner again, and deal with the strange attraction he had sparked in me. Even briefly considering it made my stomach jitter nervously. Sighing heavily, I dressed in yesterday’s clothes, which due to my lack of proper unfolding last night, were still damp, and then prepared to head downstairs.
    Pulling open my bedroom door I tentatively stuck my head into the corridor and glanced around the unfamiliar space. Seeing as I’d been draped upside down over a firm shoulder during my ‘tour’ of the house yesterday, I had no idea which way to go, but as I looked around, the sight of my handbag and laptop case leaning next to the door caught my attention. Raising my eyebrows, I moved them into my room and quickly checked the contents. All was still as I’d left it, so presumably Mr House Owner had merely grabbed them from my car to stop them getting frozen, which for someone with a seemingly permanent scowl, was really rather thoughtful.
    Heading back out of my room I looked both ways and still had no clue which way to go, because the corridor stretched out in both directions, seeming to turn corners at either end. Bugger. Pulling in a nervous breath I contemplated what to do, but then smiled. That gulp of air had given me the answer I needed, because I had gotten a definite whiff of brewing coffee coming from my left side. Turning in the direction of the