Witches of Three: Charlene Read Online Free PDF Page B

said, sliding the flowers into a vase of water.
    “If you put an aspirin in there, it’s supposed to keep them longer.” He grinned at her.
    Suddenly, he didn’t seem like that sternly professional police captain, but like a much younger man. She sensed vulnerability about him and realized if this was a difficult thing for her to work through, it must be for him as well. He had a lot on the line here. His career could be finished. So much for seducing him and throwing him aside when she tired of him. It was a silly rationalization on her part. They were both risking too much for this to be a casual fling.
    “Do you want to go out to eat? I could make something here, and we could talk.”
    “I think we’d better go out where there are people.” He looked at her steadily.
    “I’ll get my wrap,” she said and went to the hall closet.
    Nick followed, and for a long awkward moment in the close confines of the front hall, they stared into each other’s eyes. Charlie’s heart thumped in her chest, and Nick looked grim. So much for fun. This wasn’t going to be fun, no matter which way they went. Her frivolous conclusions fell away, and she pulled on her wrap with a somber air.
    They talked of mundane things on the way to Malarky’s, a bar and grill on the east side of the city. She’d been thinking on the drive there and realized her sexy attire screamed they were already having an affair. She had to do something about it. He parked and hurried to open the door for her. His eyes widened when her wrap draped open and he spotted the low-heeled pumps, demure dress and prim bun at the back of her head.
    “How did you…” He looked around as if he’d missed something then back at her.
    “I’m a witch,” she said lightly.
    “You’re joking, right?” he asked with a grin.
    She affected an enigmatic smile of her own and walked ahead of him into the restaurant. If he only knew, she thought, and of course, she’d have to tell him the truth sometime, just not right now, not while they were discovering their feelings about each other. For one of the rare times in her life, she wished she weren’t a witch. Ah, well!
    Nick asked for and received a booth in the back. They settled in across from each other and gave their orders to the friendly waitress. Finally, with margaritas set before them, they sipped and relaxed against the cushioned backs. Except, Charlie knew there was no relaxing for either of them.
    “So here we are,” she said, and Nick nodded, his long fingers playing with the rim of his glass.
    “I never thought I’d be in this predicament,” he began. “I’ve thought long and hard about it ever since you came into my department. I tried to pretend I wasn’t attracted to you, but each day I denied my feelings just made it worse.”
    “I’ve felt the same way,” she said softly, staring into his eyes then she ducked her head. “I was so busy trying not to feel this way because I didn’t want my career to be affected, but I never thought about what you’re risking.”
    He moved his hand and lightly brushed her fingers, much in the same way he had earlier in the day. Charlie thought she’d never felt such an erotic touch. She longed to feel his hands everywhere on her body, but for now, this had to be enough.
    “We can’t do this,” she said mournfully. “We can’t risk everything for an attraction.”
    “Is that all it is?” he asked and waited for her answer.
    She couldn’t give it. Things were going too fast for her. She’d just gotten used to the idea that Nick wanted her as much as she wanted him. How irresponsible she’d been in her daydreams about him. She’d given only the minutest thought to what a relationship between them would mean. Nick had, and he hadn’t been scared away by the conflicts they would face. She took hold of his hand and squeezed it tightly, letting her touch tell him what was welling inside her. She looked into his eyes and let him see her need for him. She