Too Much Temptation by Lori Foster Read Free Book Online

Grace’s astute gaze. Things he’d said to her, things he’d thought about, whirled inside him, making him sick with self-disgust.
    He didn’t like needing anyone. He wouldn’t need anyone. But Grace…last night he’d considered her a lifeline.
    He almost hated himself.
    “I’ll make some coffee,” she offered while keeping her voice low in deference to his hangover.
    Noah dropped his arm to watch her scamper off the bed, then immediately snatch the sheet up and around her body.
    Feeling contrary and mean, he said, “It’s a little late for modesty, isn’t it?”
    Grace blinked at him. It was an expression she often wore when unsure of what to do next. Noah had been the recipient of that look far too many times. Grace could be busily at work, animated, and when he walked in, she’d freeze while keeping her dark eyes on him warily. He knew Grace didn’t fear him. Hell, he doubted Grace feared anyone.
    Had she been wanting him all that time, then?
    “I suppose you’re right,” she said at last, surprising Noah. And with a defiant tilt of her head, she flung the sheet back at him. Noah had only a moment to admire her abundant curves in the clinging T-shirt and panties before she lost her nerve and turned, all but running from the room.
    The back view she provided was…interesting. Her long, luxuriant brown hair swished directly above her generous, heart-shaped ass. She was barely concealed by white cotton, and her haste added extra jiggle to things.
    Noah heard the hall bathroom door close.
    “Shit, shit, shit.” His stomach lurched again, and he forced himself to breathe, to lie still until the sickness passed.
    Damn it, he’d been hoping she’d tell him he was all wrong, that her sleepover had been innocent. That maybe she’d gotten drunk, too, and they’d both passed out. But he knew Grace didn’t drink.
    She also didn’t sleep around.
    The more he tried to think, the more his head throbbed. The last thing he could really remember was wanting Grace. Fiercely.
    Hell, he wanted her still.
    Noah threw his legs over the side of the bed—and almost lost his stomach as the bedroom spun around him. It took him a moment to recoup, and he staggered into his connecting bathroom, shucked off his shorts, grabbed his toothbrush and stepped into the shower. The first blast of cold water made his every ache intensify, and then gradually go numb.
    As the water warmed, his head began to clear. He stood there, stiffened arms braced against the shower wall while the water beat down on his neck and shoulders. It was several minutes before he felt human enough to brush his teeth and wash.
    First he’d have to apologize to Grace.
    Then he’d just have to hope like hell she forgave him.
    “Noah?”
    Her voice came in through the open bathroom door. Ready to face the repercussions, Noah turned off the shower and stepped out, tossing his toothbrush into the sink. Grace, agog and scandalized, whipped around so fast she half-spilled the hot coffee she’d brought as an offering.
    “Hey.” Still disgruntled with the situation, Noah dried off and wrapped the towel around his hips. “Don’t faint on me, okay? I feel so lousy this morning, we’d both end up on the floor before I’d manage to pick you up.”
    Grace knelt down to mop up the spilled coffee with a washcloth. Her back still to him, she squeaked, “ ’Kay.”
    Noah rubbed his bristly jaw, considering her. “I’m decent, Gracie.”
    She peeked at him, then her eyes widened and slid over him so slowly, he felt devoured. She lingered on his abdomen until he cleared his throat.
    “Grace? The towel is secure, I promise.”
    She nodded and gave him a tentative smile. “I thought you could probably use this.” She stood and held out the now half-empty mug of coffee.
    Just by being herself, Grace managed to take the awkwardness out of the quintessential “morning after.” Noah nodded and gratefully accepted the cup.
    “Damn, that’s good,” he said after