The Black Feather by Olivia Claire High Read Free Book Online

a sore subject with me.”
    “Apology accepted. But you’re not the only one at fault here. You’ve had it rough. I should have remembered that. It’s a wonder you didn’t try to cut my tongue out after that crack about your ex. I’m really sorry, Suzanne. That was uncalled for.”
    “That’s okay.”
    “No it is not okay. I couldn’t have been more insensitive. I guarantee it won’t happen again.”
    She was about to ask him if he’d ever been dumped by a woman. But looking at his body, she decided it was highly unlikely. He probably was the one who did the dumping.
    “Um, what did you want to talk to me about?”
    “Ground rules. We stick together twenty-four/seven. I go where you go. That is not negotiable.”
    “What do I tell people if they ask me who you are?”
    Thad moved away from the counter. He pulled a kitchen chair out, sat down, and began to tug on his socks and tennis shoes
    “Give them enough truth to cover the lie. We met on the cruise. We hit it off and you invited me to follow you home.”
    “That ought to give the neighbors something to buzz about.” Suzanne twisted her fingers around the tie of her robe. “I hope we can be friends, Thad. It will make things a lot easier, especially since you’re going to be staying here. I had the opportunity aboard ship to see what a nice man you really are. I’d like to get to know that man better.”
    “You have it all wrong. I was acting. I am not a nice man. But that doesn’t mean I won’t still continue to play my role when we’re around people. Let me remind you that you’ll have to do your share if we’re going to be convincing as a couple who are supposed to be attracted to each other.”
    His bluntness made her offer of friendship dissolve like ashes in her mouth. Pride demanded that she refuse to let him know how much his callousness hurt her fragile emotions. He expected her to be a team player without them sharing any team spirit.
    “You certainly managed to fool me. Your performance was Academy award material.”
    “It’s better this way.”
    “I’m beginning to think the only way is your way for everything.”
    Suzanne banged her cup down and ran from the room.
     
    Thad swore under his breath. It seemed as though every time he tried to talk to Suzanne he ended up driving her away. That might not be such a bad thing considering his job was to protect her, not get personal. But that was easier said than done.  He’d fought the personal part from the moment he first saw her standing at the railing on the ship. She looked so vulnerable and in need of comfort that he probably would have offered to help even if it hadn’t been his assignment to get to know her.
    His feelings for her came into sharp focus the day she’d been shot. Seeing the blood soaking into her blouse and then having her fall out of the Jeep almost made his heart stop. Having to spend the time holed up with her and watching while she sunbathed in that skimpy bikini left his body aching with need, leaving little doubt that he was physically attracted to her. 
    Picturing her sleeping in the next room while they were in the house in the jungle had been sheer torture. Now it looked as though things weren’t going to get any easier. He’d hoped someone else would take over once the orders came to move Suzanne back here, but that wasn’t going to happen.
    He would have to ignore his feelings and pretend she was just another case. He felt like a hungry lion sent to guard a tender little lamb. Being with her these few minutes had him tied in knots. He stood up, dumped his cold coffee down the sink, and slammed out the door.
     
    Thad finished checking the area outside just as Suzanne met him in the kitchen doorway.
    “We’re picking up Heather for brunch.” She dangled a set of car keys in front of him. “Do you prefer to drive or will you trust me behind the wheel?”
    Her chilly voice matched the frosty look in her eyes, but Thad knew he’d asked for