Blue Jeans and a Badge by Nina Bruhns Read Free Book Online Page B

could have sworn I said I wouldn’t go to your house tonight.”
    Holding both their weapons, holsters and extra clothing in his arms, he leaned up against the frame of the Jeep’s open door. “I guess I thought you changed your mind.”
    â€œBased on…?”
    He grinned. “Wishful thinking? Besides, we have work to do. There’s no time to hold a grudge.”
    He just stood there leaning against the Jeep, watching her decide. If he’d touched her she would have immediately insisted on being taken to the motel. But he didn’t.
    A sinking feeling took hold of her stomach—that she was about to give in.
    â€œDodge will charge you an arm and a leg for long-distance calls,” he said blandly.
    â€œI have a cell phone.”
    â€œWireless laptop?”
    â€œNo,” she grudgingly admitted.
    â€œThere you go, then. Gotta come in to use the computer.”
    She hesitated for a moment longer, scrambling for a rational reason to refuse him. One that didn’t involve bringing up the subject of touching. Or kissing. Or anything else along those lines. No sense reminding him of all that.
    Then she looked up into his eyes and realized she didn’t have to remind him. He was already thinking them. His dark gaze lingered on her face, caressing her cheeks and throat with all the reassurance of a mountain lion sizing up his prey.
    She shivered, but couldn’t for the life of her look away. When he lifted his hand to help her down, she forgot completely she meant to say no.
    â€œJust for a little while,” she mumbled.
    â€œAbsolutely,” he allowed.
    â€œI’ll go first,” he said, walking ahead of her on the stone path. “In case of rattlers.”
    â€œRattlers? As in snakes? ” Nervously, she hurried to catch up to him. “Those nasty ones that can kill you with a single bite?”
    â€œActually, Western rattlesnakes are pretty docile and will usually only bite if you step on them.”
    â€œUsually?”
    â€œWell, in the springtime when they wake up they can be a bit cranky.”
    â€œSpringtime? You mean like, say, April?” She pressed in closer to him. She didn’t have to double-check her watch to know what month it was.
    â€œNow that you mention it. But don’t worry. Their bite is rarely fatal. You just get really sick.”
    â€œI’m so reassured.”
    She heard him chuckle. “Just stomp really loudly as you walk. The snakes will feel the vibrations and hide. Works for bears, too.”
    â€œWonderful.”
    They reached a set of low steps and went up to a wraparound patio surrounding the house, artfully lit by low-watt deck lights. “Here we are, safe and sound.”
    â€œWow, this is really nice,” she said when Philip had let them into the house and they were standing in the large, cozy living room.
    He watched without comment as she made a full circle, taking in the whole room. The contemporary-style house was built completely of wood and glass. On the floors, thick carpeting was covered by Indian rugs, and a towering stone fireplace sat between two huge plate-glass windows. There was a wall of lighted, built-in bookshelves, and big burgundy leather furniture with walnut tables filled the space between. Everything seemed designed for comfort, but managed to look masculine and elegant at the same time.
    â€œWow,” she repeated. The man obviously had an abundance of good taste. And money. No wonder he wasn’t concerned about his salary if he could afford fifteen acres with a home like this on it. “It’s beautiful.”
    â€œGood,” he said, and she thought she detected a shade of satisfaction in the pronouncement. “I’m glad you like it.”
    She was tempted to ask him why, but thought better of it.
    She was attracted to Philip. More than attracted, truth be told. But one look at this place and she knew without a doubt he was one of those picket