Bare It All by Lori Foster Read Free Book Online Page B

longer, she didn’t need to know that yet. “So, Alice Appleton, may I be
your guest until my apartment is ready?”
    “Yes, Reese Bareden, you may.” Head tipped back, silky hair
falling behind her shoulders, she met his gaze. “And, thank you. I’m sure a few
days will make all the difference. I only need a little time to—”
    Reese bent down to kiss her.
    He didn’t plan it, hadn’t even realized he would do it, but
once he got there, with his mouth on hers, awareness reverberated throughout his
system, making itself known...everywhere.
    In his pants for sure, his head, as well, and maybe even in his
heart.
    That bothered him, so he made the decision to keep it brief,
nothing more than a peck. Except that her mouth was insanely soft, and it all
felt so damn right, he couldn’t help but linger. He
didn’t kiss her the way he really wanted, and still it staggered him.
    Her hands curled carefully against his chest, her fingertips
pressing into his pecs, the telling gesture giving away so much.
    She wasn’t unaffected.
    Great.
    Finally managing to ease back, Reese studied her closed eyes
and heated skin and knew he had to go now before he took things too far.
    He ran the back of his knuckles over her downy cheek. All women
were soft, damn it. But somehow, with Alice, the softness seemed amplified.
    Reese said, “I won’t be long.”
    She still didn’t open her eyes. Instead, she swallowed, nodded
and shooed him away.
    That got him grinning and helped to subdue other, more
disturbing reactions. Alice was the funniest and, yes, oddest woman he’d ever
known. Everything about her was endearing. And a turn-on.
    Somewhere in her past, she’d been taken by strangers. She’d
been hurt, but he didn’t know how badly. He only knew it was enough to get her
armed to the teeth, to make her wary of one and all.
    Enough to have her seek a life of isolation.
    Eventually he’d find out everything. For today, he’d start with
a few phone calls and go from there.
    One thing was certain. Until he knew if she was still in
danger, he wouldn’t leave Alice Appleton unprotected. He had only planned to get
clean clothes from his apartment, maybe his shaving kit, toothbrush...but, what
the hell. He’d pack a bag, and until further notice, he’d be her roommate—and
her shadow.
    “Lock the door behind me.” And with that reminder, he walked
out before he changed his mind and didn’t go at all.

CHAPTER FOUR
    A LICE MISSED R EESE the moment he left. Her apartment, that once felt
peaceful with only her in it, now felt empty. Too quiet.
    Even sort of lonely.
    “Bleh.” She turned to Cash. “It’s ridiculous, isn’t it?”
    Cash gave her a sleepy yawn, wiggled a little on the couch and
started thumping his tail when she walked over to rub his ears.
    “I’m glad I still have you. But for how long?” She cupped his
furry face and put her cheek to his head. “It breaks my heart, but you’re not
really my dog. Reese loves you, so someday, if he moves or gets involved with a
woman, I might not be able to see you anymore.”
    Cash crawled into her lap and tried to lick her face. Dodging
the majority of his sloppy affection, Alice gave a laugh that sounded far too
close to a sob.
    Damn it, she would not cry. God knew she had nothing to cry
about. Not anymore. She controlled her life, and if things weren’t exactly as
she’d like them to be, well, she had no one to blame but herself.
    Even with the pep talk, her throat went tight and her eyes
burned.
    A knock on her door had her sucking up the excess of emotion
real quick.
    Cash did a doggy feat of launching away while barking like a
crazed beast.
    “Cash, behave.” Assuming Reese had forgotten something, Alice
quickly wiped her cheeks and drew a cleansing breath. Going to the door, she put
her eye to the peephole—and straightened with incredulity.
    Taking his cue from her, Cash ramped up his barking to a
berserk level.
    “Shhh,” she told the frantic dog. “It’s