Careless Whisper by Wendi Zwaduk Read Free Book Online Page A

rain until next Tuesday.” He sighed. Going on without Samara wasn’t a possibility. “Samara, you—I want you to trust me. This storm isn’t a freak occurrence. Sometimes spirits manipulate the weather to show their presence. They can fuck with the cosmos if they can garner enough energy, you know, like raining during a funeral or wedding.” He inched towards her, bridging the gap to her. “I can’t explain it, but my gut feeling is to keep you as close as possible. My heart’s attached to you and I know you feel it, too, because you know there’s a stronger bond here.”
    Before she could answer, a sizzle split the air.
    “I shouldn’t believe you. I should run out that door and never look back.”
    “Most people don’t believe what I say.”
    She smoothed her fingers over his chest. “I don’t know if it was Gramma , but a voice told me to keep you close. Is that the Spirit Mate stuff working?”
    “It could be. I’ll get down on my knees if I have to, but the elevator won’t work and I don’t have a handle to manually open the garage door. Stay, please?”
    The glow of her cell phone lit the blackened room. “I keep it handy for emergencies. According to the clock, it’s three A.M.” The pale blue light sparkled in her eyes as she stared at him. “If I must stay with you, Spirit Mate or not, I’m going to crash on the couch. I won’t impose.”
    “Take my bed.”
    “Ryan.” As the lightning flashed, her gaze snapped to his. “This isn’t the time.”
    “I know you’re angry with me and I deserve it for not being honest, but I meant what I said. My heart won’t let me leave you alone.” He smoothed the pads of his fingers over her cheek. “I spent too much time acting like a jerk because I didn’t trust my instincts, but if it helps, I liked you from the moment I saw you.”
    “And your instincts tell you something bad is brewing besides the lack of electricity?”
    “I’m sure I want you here, in my arms, but whatever malevolent spirit wants to do harm isn’t playing around.”
    As his eyesight adjusted to the darkness, he noticed her gaze vacillating between his eyes and his throat. She licked her lips and puffed out a breath. “I don’t know why I feel like I need to trust you, but down in my gut I’m certain I need to stay put”—she gestured   to her right—”on the couch.”
    Ryan replied with a slow nod of his head. “I’ll be a gentleman and keep you safe.” In his bed and in his arms.

Chapter Seven
     
     
     
    “The couch is lumpy and heaven knows what’s crawled into the crevices. My bed is nice and warm and more comfortable.” As Ryan nudged her towards the bedroom, a shard of pain pierced Samara’s heart. She was probably the first woman he had to cajole into his inner sanctum. No doubt other women went willingly. His voice broke through her thoughts. “Stay put and I’ll grab some sleepwear. I don’t want you to trip in the darkness.”
    “I can’t sleep here. This is your place and you just said it was fine if I crashed on the couch.” The light from a security lamp blinked on, splashing a dim yellow glow around the room.
    “Technically, a nod doesn’t mean things are fine, but I insist. My bed is all yours.” Ryan handed her a T-shirt emblazoned with the Ghost Explorers logo—a calligraphic GE and paint spatters on a black background. “It’s the best I have on short notice.”
    “I can sleep in my clothes.” She tugged on the hem of her shirt. “Comfy casual.”
    “Nah, a woman is sexy in a man’s shirt.” He draped the cotton across his pecs . “Like it?”
    She traced the letters with her finger, happy to touch anywhere on his body. “Is this the original logo?”
    “That’s the prototype, yeah.” His voice came out ragged and husky. “I designed it myself when I came up with the idea for the show. I was just messing around.”
    “Don’t discount yourself. This logo has an air of mysticism about it that better fits the