2. Come Be My Love by Annette Broadrick Read Free Book Online Page B

loosely at his sides while Greg dressed more quickly than he had since he'd left the military.
    "This isn't what it looks like."
    "It's exactly what it looks like, and you know it. My God! All the years I've known you, and I had no idea you could take advantage of someone as sheltered and protected as Brandi. I could tell by her messages that she was frightened, but I knew she'd be safe up here. Hah! That's a laugh, isn't it?"
    "Lower your voice, will you, before you wake her up? I haven't hurt your precious Brandi. She's fine." He strode into the kitchen and began to make coffee. "What are you doing here at this hour, anyway?"
    "Oh, so it's my fault for coming early enough to catch you in bed with her, is that it? What I don't know makes everything okay, is that the way your mind works? Good God, Greg, I knew you were ruthless, I knew you could annihilate an opponent in a courtroom, but I never thought you would take advantage of a man's hospitality and seduce an innocent woman!"
    "She isn't some sixteen-year-old child, for God's sake! Brandi Martin is a grown woman, Tim, a consenting adult. It is none of your damned business what we did or did not do, might or might not do, and I resent your unfounded accusations and unsubstantiated claims regarding my character!"
    If Tim wanted a fight, he was going to have one, Greg decided. Some of Tim's comments had hit extremely close to the mark, echoing some of Greg's earlier thoughts, which only made him angrier. He hadn't taken advantage of her, even though he'd had every opportunity. He hadn't abused his friend's hospitality or his trust, and he was furious that he should be judged so harshly on such flimsy and circumstantial evidence.
    He faced Tim, waiting for him to make the first move.
    Tim leaned against the counter and stared at Greg for several tense moments without moving. Then he straightened and took a step toward him.
    "Has anyone ever told you how adorable you are when you're angry?"
    Greg had been ready for anything but that. He stared at his friend in astonishment. Tim was grinning. Bewildered at the sudden change in Tim's mood, Greg just stood there looking at him.
    Tim began to laugh at the expression on Greg's face. "You're right, Greg. It's none of my business what you and Brandi choose to do. I guess I've looked out for her for so long that I forgot that I can't live her life for her, or make her choices for her. As you said, she's a grown woman."
    Tim walked over and poured two cups of coffee, handing one to Greg. "I'm sorry for making such a fool of myself. My only excuse is that I was really worried about Brandi, which is why I drove all night to get here. When I first saw your car outside I felt nothing but relief, knowing that if you were here she was all right. To say that I was surprised at your sleeping arrangements is putting it mildly."
    ''You may have noticed that I was sleeping downstairs earlier."
    Tim sat down at the table with a soft sigh of pleasure. "I don't mind telling you I'm tired, which partially explains why I was less than my normally observant self. Instead of my continuing to make erroneous guesses, why don't you just tell me what's going on?"
    Greg sat down across from him. "Brandi's had a real scare, and I think she's still dreaming about it. I heard her last night and went upstairs to check on her. Later, after she had calmed down a little, I started to leave. She asked me to stay with her. So I did."
    ''And that's it?"
    "That's it."
    "You mean I'm not going to get to give the bride away?"
    Greg studied Tim closely. "Would it bother you to see Brandi get married?"
    "Not if she decided to marry you, old buddy. I couldn't be happier."
    "You're really serious, aren't you?"
    "Of course I'm serious. Why? Are you thinking about marrying her?"
    "Don't be absurd. I just met her. Besides, I'm old enough to be her father. We're too different. We have absolutely nothing in common. And we're—"
    "Whoa, wait a minute," Tim said, laughingly