Welcome to Temptation Read Online Free PDF Page B

the cop said.
    Sophie turned her back on the mayor and told the nice policeman everything, and when she was finished, she said, "I just wasn't looking and missed the sign. We didn't break the law on purpose." The mayor stirred a little. "Actually, you did." He sounded as if he didn't care. "You left the scene of an accident."
    "Understandable under the circumstances," the cop said before Sophie could speak. "Amy says we can have the tape of the accident if we bring it back tomorrow, so we'll bring the accident report for you to sign then."
    "Amy asked you to come back." Sophie bit her lip, wondering why her mother had insisted on having three children.
    "She also mentioned something about the electricity and plumbing," the cop said, smiling at Amy.
    "A good reason to call an electrician and a plumber," Sophie said brightly. Not the police and the government, Amy . "Really, there's no need—"
    "Not a problem," the cop said. "My pleasure."
    "—certainly not for both of you—" Sophie began again, hoping at least to avoid the mayor. But when she looked at him, he was staring at her mouth, and she blushed and then felt her temper rise.
    "Did you get hurt in the accident?" he said, and Sophie blinked. "Your lip. It's bleeding."
    "Oh." Sophie licked her bottom lip and tasted salt. "I bit it when he hit us. It'll be all right." His eyes lingered on her mouth for another moment, and then he nodded.
    It was time to get rid of the mayor.
    One. "But thank you for asking," Sophie said, smiling the Dempsey smile. The mayor looked startled for an instant, and then his lips quirked a little. Page 18
    Two. "But I think my mouth will recover, don't you?" Sophie said, flirting up at him.
    "Oh, yes," he said, meeting her eyes.
    Three. "I'd forgotten all about it," Sophie said, truthfully. "You must be very observant."
    "I try," the mayor said, openly appraising her now.
    Four. Sophie stood up, including the cop in her smile. "You've been wonderfully kind, and we really can't ask you for anything else; certainly not another trip out here. So I'll come in tomorrow and sign the accident report and—"
    "I can ask them," Amy said from behind her. "I want plumbing that works and electricity that won't kill me."
    Sophie tried to keep the exasperation off her face but the mayor must have seen it anyway because he grinned at her, a real smile this time, and she thought, Of course you'd be gorgeous.
    "We'll be back tomorrow," he said, straightening away from the porch post, and all Sophie could say was, "Thank you."
    When they were gone, Sophie turned to Amy.
    "Let's review the plan. It's going to be just the three of us and w e're not going to attract attention ."
    "You know there's such a thing as being too cautious," Amy said. "We need the plumbing and electricity fixed and they'll do it for free."
    "The hell they will," Sophie said, thinking of the mayor. "We'll pay one way or another."
    "And I don't care what you say," Amy went on. "The mayor is hot."
    "I didn't say he wasn't hot." Sophie stood up and let the swing bounce behind her. "I said we were going to stay away from him. He's trouble, it's in his eyes. He's a hard mark."
    "I bet he is," Amy said.
    "Will you concentrate? We stay away from the mayor."
    "Yes, but will the mayor stay away from us?" Amy said.
    "God, I hope so, Sophie said, licking her lip as it started to bleed again, pretty sure she meant it.
    *
    Phinsat in the passenger seat of the squad car and considered running the Dempsey sisters out of town on a rail. He had no legal grounds, of course, but it was his job to ensure the peace, and he had a feeling that getting rid of the Dempseys would be a good start, even if it was only for his peace. There was something wrong there.
    Page 19
    Besides the brunette's lush, red, swollen lip.
    He shook his head to get rid of the image and Wes said, "What?"
    "The brunette. She bothers me. Why is she so tense?"
    "That's not why she bothers you."
    Phin ignored him. "The way she twisted her