Wilde One Read Online Free PDF Page A

pulled a bloody handkerchief away from his face to shout one final obscenity.
    Ainslee pressed harder on the gas. The tires squealed as she took the corner way too fast to circle to the next level. Two more floors down, she reached street level and edged out into blinding sunlight. With a marginally steadier hand, she pulled sunglasses from her purse and pushed them onto her nose then let out a long sigh.
    “Unbelievable.” She took a couple more calming breaths as she eased up to a stoplight. Damn. Her thought process was as scrambled as the eggs she’d had in her breakfast burrito. Which way should she turn, right or left, to get out of the financial district? The map had slid to the passenger side floor when she threw her purse on the seat. God, she hated driving in city traffic.
    “Get it together, Ainslee.” Her voice cracked.
    A horn honked behind her.
    “Fine, I’ll go straight.”
    Pressing on the accelerator, she headed through the intersection and just kept driving. Where she went didn’t really matter since…her head snapped around. Griff Wilde hoofed it down the sidewalk, his duffle bag slung over one broad shoulder. When her SUV pulled even, he glanced her way. Vivid green eyes widened. Without thinking, she jerked the wheel and braked to a stop next to a fire hydrant then pressed the button to lower the passenger side window.
    He leaned down and smiled at her through the opening. “We meet again.”
    “So it would seem. Do you need a ride somewhere?”
    “If you wouldn’t mind. Every cab that’s passed was already occupied.”
    “Get in.”
    Opening the rear door, he tossed his bag on the backseat before climbing in the front next to her. “Thanks. Which way are you headed?”
    She gave a little shrug. “I’m not sure. I…” She swallowed back a rush of tears and blinked furiously.
    “Are you okay?”
    A shuddering breath escaped. Finally she turned her head to look him in the eye. “Do I look like a prostitute?”
    “What?” His voice rose a couple octaves.
    “Some moron propositioned me. I just wondered—”
    “No. Hell , no. What did you do?”
    “Slugged him in the nose.”
    “Good for you.” White teeth flashed in a smile. “I like a woman who can take care of herself.”
    The tension eased out of her as she smiled back. “I didn’t plan to hit him. It was a gut reaction.” She straightened in her seat and tightened her grip on the steering wheel. “Where can I take you?”
    “I planned to get something to eat. Anywhere nearby is fine.” He waved a hand. “If you take a left at the next light, I think we should find something.”
    “Sounds good.” Easing back into traffic, she crossed over to the turn lane.
    “Why’d you stop for me? Not that I’m complaining, mind you.”
    She shot him a quick look while she waited for the light to change. “I’m not sure. After that creep grabbed me, maybe I just needed a friend—or at least a friendly face. You were nice to me before…” Her lips tightened. “I apologize for being rude in return.”
    “You weren’t rude. Just skeptical. I don’t blame you at all.”
    When a warm hand gripped her arm, she jumped and jerked the wheel. Her gaze flew to his face, but his attention was directed elsewhere.
    “See that burger joint up ahead. You can drop me there.” He turned toward her. “Are you sure you don’t want to join me? It’s way after lunchtime, so you must be hungry.”
    Would it kill her to have a meal with the man? Maybe even discuss the new clue? Ainslee turned into the small parking lot and shut off the engine. Griff Wilde might be a complete stranger, but he didn’t feel like one. Right now, that was reason enough to accept his company.
    “Sure. Why not?”
    His brows shot up. “Really? That’s great. Let’s go eat.”
    Fifteen minutes later, Ainslee sipped a diet cola and snuck glances at her companion as he ate his way through a giant burger and a pile of fries. She wasn’t sure what to make of