Breaking Free by Teresa Reasor Read Free Book Online Page B

made it hard for her to swallow. She forced air into her lungs and tried to block off the physical response that made it difficult for her to focus.
    She took two decisive steps into the room. “I didn’t want to go to bed without settling things between us.”
    His lids rose, his pale gray gaze fastening on her face for a moment before they slid downward over the faded sweat pants and cropped T-shirt she wore. He homed in on the two-inch band of bare skin just above her waistband, and a tempting tingle arrowed downward. Her knees grew weak. How could he make her hot and wet with just a look?
    “I wondered when you’d be back to bust my chops.” He sat up from his reclining position. “I was out of line earlier.”
    Surprise kept her silent for a moment. “I’m not here looking for a boyfriend. I’m here for Brett.”
    “I know that.”
    “I’m not a flirt or a tease either.”
    “If what I said led you to believe I thought that, Zoe, you’re mistaken. I’m sorry.”
    He hooked his hands upon the rim of the tub and hiked himself up on the wide tile edge around it.
    After the first glimpse of a rock hard six-pack bisected by a thin line of hair that disappeared beneath a brief black swimsuit, she averted her gaze. She wandered to the screen door to focus her attention outside, until she could get her breathing under control.
    “My concern wasn’t just about the cohesive condition of my team, Zoe. I was concerned about you, too.”
    Sure. The only blip she made on his radar screen was as a possible problem for him or his team.
    “The men have been pressuring you.”
    “They’d be that way with any woman who came within their scope. It’s the male way of being friendly. Because I’m Brett’s sister, they’ll tease and flirt, but they’re not really serious about pursuing me.” She forced herself to face him, just to prove to herself she could do it and still breathe.
    Hawk probed her expression. “I heard Bowie ask you out, and it didn’t sound like he was just interested in flirting.”
    Her cheeks grew hot. “I’m sure he’s used that same line, and his killer dimples, with great success on any number of women. I didn’t take him seriously.”
    His frown set his features in lines of masculine aggression. “Why not?”
    She’d learned the hard way that men were only interested in girls who could keep up with them. To him and his men, a five-mile run was probably a cakewalk. There were days, walking across the room was like running a marathon for her.
    “I’m not interested in a temporary relationship.”
    “Who’s to say it would be?”
    If she’d harbored any hopes he was the least bit interested in her, he’d just doused them. That was a good thing. He was doing her a favor. Being involved with a military man wasn’t what she needed anyway. Seeing Brett in his condition offered her enough heartache already.
    She leaned back against the door facing and studied his expression. “Are you encouraging me to go out with Bowie?”
    “No.” A frown drew his brows into a V above the bridge of his nose setting his features into intimidating lines. She wondered what he would be like truly angry. Probably scary as hell.
    “I’m glad you’re not trying to tell me what to do, because we both know I’ll do as I please.”
    A warning glint lit his pale gray gaze as their eyes met. Just when she began to grow concerned they were about to have words again, a smile broke across his features and he laughed.
    “How’s the knee?” she asked, changing the subject. “You’ve been on it a lot today.”
    “It’s feeling better after a few minutes in the hot tub. Why don’t you join me?”
    Even knowing he meant nothing by the invitation, her pulse hammered at her throat and wrists. A fantasy of all that smooth skin and hard muscle, wet and warm beneath her hands, flashed through her mind. “I haven’t got a bathing suit.” She hoped her voice sounded normal.
    “Then come in, in what you have