Bad Traveler by Lola Karns Read Free Book Online

but this place suited her. Even Logan had remarked on her organization. She had good business sense, but also appeared at ease moving dough to baking sheets and then to the oven. Her movements were as graceful as when she danced. He was an ox, an unworthy invader to her feminine world.
    Logan returned, goggles in hand, as Gwen pulled the third tray from the oven.
    “Ready to run the saw?”
    Kyle glanced at her, not quite ready to leave her. He enjoyed their working conversation about everything and nothing at the same time.
    “Go ahead, unless you want to do the dishes.”
    “I’ll rinse.”
    A dish towel slapped against his arm. “You’ll slow me down. Besides, I need that floor. I can’t schedule a health-department inspection until it’s finished.”
    Her cocked eyebrow made his southern-most brain engage. Would she continue to offer the playful smiles if she knew how much he wanted her? And what about his injuries? He couldn’t tell her. She’d be repulsed or worse, those friendly looks would change to pity. His blood pounded, pooling in pain. The longer he postponed that day, the better.
    There was only one course of action. He helped Logan saw the flooring outside.
    They’d started laying out the floorboards when she interrupted them.
    “I’ll check in later tonight and see the progress, but until then, the place is all yours.”
    “Now would be the perfect time to install the pole. I should have enough woo— Ouch!”
    Kicking his cousin in the shin provided a moment of satisfaction but couldn’t block the image forming in his head. Unaware of his true intent, she rewarded him with a quick smile anyway before stomping across the floor. At the back door, she paused and faced them.
    “There are cookies on a plate and milk and cups in the refrigerator, so they should stay dust-free. But let’s be clear about one thing. If Kyle hadn’t kicked you in a timely fashion, I wouldn’t have told you about the treats.”
    “I would have sniffed them out,” Logan replied.
    “Ha!”
    Not wanting her to leave angry, he stood, moving toward the counter. “Gwen, are you coming to the game tonight?”
    “Sorry. Dad will be there, though. Good luck.”
     
    ***
     
    “I’ll be glad when this job is over.”
    His cousin’s words surprised him. They’d only began the hammering, and he was ready to quit already? Then again, Logan did the heavy lifting while he assisted making clay. Mentally, he was better prepared to help with the floor.
    “Why? Did something better paying come up?”
    He shrugged and offered his faux-innocent grin, the same one that tricked Grandma into thinking he was an angel. “Ethics dictate that I don’t date clients, but that Gwen’s something else. She reminds me of that actress from Entrapment , you know the one with the dark hair and great ass. I’d like to take her, Gwen, not the actress, out, get to know her better. See what other moves she’s got.”
    A deep breath filled his body with all-important oxygen. The air pressed outward at his throat in a silent scream. Years of experience allowed him to suppress his anger. He refused to be a screamer.
    “Idiot. First, you’re thinking of Catherine Zeta-Jones. Second, you are far too love ’em and leave ’em to get involved with a woman like her. She deserves better. She has a child to think of.”
    “She may be somebody’s mother, but she’s not dead. So far as the ‘better’ comment, I certainly haven’t had any complaints. Not everyone is on the hunt for the love of their life. Some of us take our pleasure where we can get it. Maybe that’s her style. Or are you jealous?”
    “Jealous?”
    “Yeah, jealous. You wouldn’t believe some of the stunts my female clients have done….”
    “Shut up,” he said.
    “She wasn’t in full seduction mode yet. She was wearing too—”
    “I said enough. We’ve got a job to do.” No need to share that his mind had undressed her, too. If Gwen refused him, seeing her with his