Causing Havoc by Lori Foster Read Free Book Online

Don't worry about that now."
    "Sure, but what wil you tel her?" Jacki slouched lower in her seat. "She's going to wonder why the prodigal son has returned." She turned to look at Cam. "I take it you invited him?"
    "Yes."
    "Of course you did." She turned back to Dean. "And you accepted the invitation, obviously. But why?
    Did we find out we have money after al and no one told me?"
    Cam froze.
    Even Eve felt shock at such a blatant dig. Jacki was always outrageous, deliberately so, but that was
    over-the-top sarcastic, even for her.
    Dean didn't even flinch. "Prodigal? Not quite."
    "Huh." She raised her eyebrows. "And the money?"
    "You wanna compare bank accounts?" He did a quick once-over of the old appliances in the
    kitchen, the faded wal paper, and the marred countertops. "I'm pretty sure I'd come out ahead."
    "Real y? So I've got a wel -to-do brother. Better and better. But that doesn't explain why you're here.
    Aunt Lorna always said we'd never see you."
    Something snagged around his heart. "Did she ever tel you why?"
    "Yeah." In a high-pitched, phony voice, Jacki said, "Men are al no-account bastards who only care about themselves."
    "That's enough, Jacki." Cam finished the coffee preparations with haste. "Put the claws away right now."
    Jacki grinned. "I sounded just like her, didn't I?"
    Eve started to say yes, but Cam said, "No, you did not. You sound like an il -behaved child. Now
    knock it off."
    "Yes, Mama."
    Dean laughed.
    It relieved Eve that he hadn't taken offense, but Jacki appeared more confused than ever at his sign
    of humor.
    "What's funny?" She propped both elbows on the table-top. "Or do I even want to know?"
    "You're trying a little too hard, that's al ."
    Eve noticed Dean's relaxed smile and the gentleness of his eyes. He real y was a devastating man
    in many ways.
    "And if you're not careful," he unwisely continued, "those skinny shoulders are going to break under the weight of that gigantic chip you're carrying."
    Uh oh. Of al the insults Dean could have dished, cal ing any part of Jacki skinny probably hurt her
    the most. Eve waited for the fireworks. They weren't long in coming.
    Jacki shoved out of her chair. "Hey, I changed my mind about the coffee." She saluted Dean, bowed at Cam. "I'm going to go shower and dress."
    Cam took a rigid stance. "I wanted us al to get acquainted."
    "I already have plans with friends." And with that, Jacki stalked out.
    Cam offered a hasty apology. "I'm so sorry, Dean. She's not at her best in the morning."
    "She's hungover. That can make anyone grumpy."
    "Jacki doesn't drink."
    It was beyond obvious that she'd tied one on the night before, but Dean didn't debate the point with
    her.
    Eve appreciated his restraint.
    "If you'l just excuse me, I'l ..." Cam's voice trailed off, and she dashed after her sister.
    "Way to go," Eve told him, as she watched Cam's exit. "You managed to trip right into the thick of things. Real estate, drinking, and female figures—you touched on al the hottest Conor family topics."
    She could almost feel sorry for Dean, being this had to be awkward for him. But as she brought her
    gaze to his, she didn't see discomfort at the turn of events.
    No. she saw a sudden inferno of heat. And intention. "Uh . . ."
    He pushed out of his chair and stepped around the table toward her.
    Eve's heart shot into her throat. "What are you doing?"
    With one hand braced flat on the table and the other on the back of her chair, he closed her in. "I'm going to kiss you."
    The way he said that, with his voice so rich and deep, made her shiver. "Not a good idea."
    He stared at her mouth. "It's a great idea, and you know it." As he leaned down more, he murmured,
    "You said it yourself. Things clicked last night."
    "Last night I didn't know you were Cam's—"
    His mouth settled over hers, warm and firm, and oh-so-delicious. She sank like a dead weight.
    When his tongue licked into her mouth, she welcomed it with her own. A rumbling groan vibrated up
    from deep inside