Cause For Alarm by Erica Spindler Read Free Book Online

mentioned an associate; why he flew all over the world, yet never left a number where he could be reached.
    A spy. John was a spy.
    Frightened, she had quickly returned the notebook to its hiding place.
    â€œI have to leave again in the morning.”
    She propped herself on an elbow. “But you just got back!”
    â€œSome unfinished business. Sorry.”
    â€œHow long this time?”
    â€œI don’t know. A week or two. Maybe a month. Depends on how the assignment unfolds.”
    â€œAt least tell me where you’re going.”
    â€œI can’t. You know that.”
    She did. But it didn’t make it any easier. Pouting, she turned her back to him.
    â€œDon’t be like that,” he chided. “You’re too good for that kind of behavior.”
    She glared over her shoulder at him. “But I’m so bored when you’re gone! There’s nothing to do! And I’m lonely.”
    â€œMaybe this will help.”
    He had dropped his jacket beside the bed, and now he reached over the side for it. From one of the pockets he drew out a small, navy blue velvet box. He handed it to her.
    â€œFor me?” she asked, pleased.
    â€œWho else?” He smiled. “Go ahead, open it.”
    She sat up and took the box eagerly from his hands, lifted the lid and gasped. Inside, sparkling against the blue velvet, was a pair of diamond stud earrings. She stared at them, stunned. They were huge—at least a carat each. She lifted her gaze to his. “John, they’re beautiful.”
    â€œNot as beautiful as my special girl,” he murmured, taking the box from her. “Here, let me put them on you.”
    She tucked her hair behind her ears, and he slipped the posts through her holes, then fastened on the backs. As soon as he dropped his hands, she bounded out of bed and to the bathroom. She flipped on the light and raced to the mirror. They were beautiful. Stunning. They sparkled like icy fire against her earlobes.
    John followed her to the bathroom, coming to stand directly behind her. “They don’t do you justice,” he said. “They’re not special enough. They don’t have your warmth, your fire.”
    â€œOh, John!” She whirled around and hugged him. “They’re gorgeous! I love them!” She hugged him again. “Thank you. Thank you!”
    â€œSilly.” He laughed and smoothed her hair away from her face. “Don’t you know you deserve them?”
    â€œYou spoil me.”
    â€œYou were born to be spoiled.” A smile tugged at his mouth. “To be mine to spoil.” He kissed her. “I think I’ll draw us a bath. Would you like that?”
    She rubbed herself against him. “Sounds delicious.”
    He turned and began filling the big, old claw-footed tub. John loved to bathe her, the way he had when she was a child. He loved to wash her hair and body, to wrap her in a big fluffy towel, then pat and powder her and blow her hair dry.
    The bath started off like the hundreds that had come before. He soaped a washcloth and began moving it over her body, murmuring softly to her. Suddenly he stopped, a frown creasing his brow. “You’re gaining weight,” he said after a moment, his tone one of reproach as he ran his soapy hands over her waist and belly.
    Julianna stiffened. John loved her rail thin and girlish. What would he say when she told him she wouldn’t be thin like that again for six more months?
    â€œIt’s all right,” he murmured, taking her silence for distress. “I’ll work up a diet and exercise program for you to follow. Find you a personal trainer. You’ll have those extra pounds off in no time.”
    He dipped the washcloth into the water and ran it over her back and shoulders. From there, he reached around her and ran the cloth over her breasts, softly rubbing.
    Again, he stopped. She glanced over her shoulder at him. “John,” she