California Dream by Kara Jorges Read Free Book Online Page A

can’t believe you’d do that.”
    “You wouldn’t tell me your name.”
    “And you really cared to know it?”
    Roddy frowned slightly. “Of course I did. Why wouldn’t I? It really started to bug me that you were being so secretive about yourself. You were sleeping, so I just looked in the most obvious place. I didn’t snoop through anything else.”
    “Do you always do whatever you want?”
    He shrugged but looked a little perturbed. “I guess I do.”
    Lee had to laugh at the contrite expression on his face, and her anger completely melted away. She gave him a warm smile.
    “Is this for real?” she asked.
    Roddy took her hands in his. “I sure hope so.” He smiled back.
    Lee realized he was about to kiss her, in front of Mr. Eggers and everyone else in the library. She also knew she wouldn’t have stopped him if Mr. Eggers hadn’t suddenly stepped in. Belatedly, she realized he had been watching their entire exchange with avid distaste.
    “Sir, is there anything I can assist you with this afternoon?” he asked stiffly, approaching from behind Lee’s objectionable visitor.
    Roddy turned and gave him a smile. “I think I have everything I need right here.” He laid a proprietary hand on Lee’s shoulder. “I’d like to check her out for the weekend.”
    “We’ll need your library card,” Mr. Eggers said automatically, before his mind fully processed Roddy’s request. When both Roddy and Lee looked amused, he puffed up angrily.
    “I think I can handle the paperwork,” Lee said on a smile.
    She tried to keep her amusement to herself, but obviously wasn’t doing a very good job of it, since Eggers stiffened up some more. She was afraid of what might happen next, as Roddy didn’t seem to care much about library rules and etiquette, and didn’t seem willing to back down from a challenge from her boss.
    Eggers surprised her with a tight smile. “You’ve worked awfully hard this week, Lee,” he said. “Why don’t you go home a little early today so you can spend some time with your visitor.”
    He appeared eager to get Roddy and his leather out of the library.
    Lee still couldn’t quite believe Roddy had come back to Minneapolis just to see her. Their night together came rushing back, and it was obvious Roddy fondly remembered it, too. The chemistry between them was as strong as ever. He had a twinkle in his eye when he stared at her, and it was all she could do to remember where she was.
    She forced herself to remember her manners and smile gratefully at Mr. Eggers. “Thank you. I’ll just go get my things and we’ll be off.”
    “Take your time,” Roddy told her. “There’s no need to rush, and I’d like to see more of the library.”
    Mr. Eggers did not look pleased by the announcement, and Lee chuckled to herself as she left them alone to rush back to Research and Cataloging.
    Debbie seemed excited when Lee walked in.
    “Lee, take a look outside!” she commanded from her post near the window. “There’s a Maserati out there.”
    “I know. It’s Roddy’s.” Lee strove to keep her voice calm, but already felt it rising before Debbie turned to give her an incredulous stare. “He’s here.”
    “Roddy O’Neill? He’s here ?” Debbie knocked a stack of books onto the floor as she raced across the room to enfold Lee in a bear hug. “I knew he sent those flowers!”
    Lee hugged her back for a second, but quickly pulled away. “Eggers is letting me go early, but I think he just wants to get Roddy out of the library. He’s wearing leather pants and a bandanna, and one of his tattoos is showing.”
    “Oh my god!” Debbie laughed. “Eggers must be having a heart attack. What are you doing standing around back here talking to me? Go have some fun with your man!”
    
    I can’t believe this is really happening to me, Lee thought with glee as water streamed off her head and washed over her body.
    While she took her customary after-work shower, Roddy O’Neill, the