Crazy Love by Nicola Marsh Read Free Book Online Page B

he’d been too busy trying to weasel information about Hank out of her. “Makes me wonder why.”
    “Now who’s prying?”
    “There’s a difference between talking shop and opening boxes you shouldn’t. Look what happened to Pandora.”
    When she re-entered the living room, he’d sat. Her relief was short-lived as she realized she’d have to sit next to him on her far-too-cozy couch in order to explain the finer points of her temperamental laptop.
    “If Pandora had unleashed your little stash, she would’ve been a happier girl.”
    His grin reminded her of a wolf about to toy with an innocent pup. Pup…Ripley …she owed Belle big time. Not only had she reneged on their dinner, she’d foisted Ripley onto her friend for the night.
    Another sign you were hoping to get some .
    Telling her inner voice to shut the hell up, she perched on the edge of the couch next to him, ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble; like her making a lunge for him.
    “This is a back-up I use at home and it needs a little TLC. If it flickers, hit the function and F4 buttons to snap out of it and you should be right.”
    She continued to prattle as he stared at her rather than the screen. Not only were her toes tingling, her skin had joined the party, prickling with awareness that a GOLF pro was in the vicinity.
    “Save everything to USB as you go because it occasionally shuts down for no reason and—”
    “Is something wrong?”
    Forced to look at him now he’d spoken, she focused on the Warhol print over his left shoulder rather than stare into those dark eyes.
    Melted chocolate. His eyes were the color of her favorite late night snack and could easily become as addictive.
    “No. Why?”
    “Because you’re talking faster than a rock star on Speed.”
    “Just tired, I guess.”
    And wanting to tear that snazzy suit off his body, against her better judgment. “Time for bed.”
    She wondered if he’d pick up on her innuendo as she all but swayed towards him, willing him to change her mind about the going to bed part or at least have the decency to join her there.
    “You sure this is okay? You don’t really know me.”
    Worse luck. She could’ve really enjoyed getting to know him a lot better.
    “Yeah, but Flo does and if you get out of line I’ll have her on this doorstep so fast your head will spin. Before she knocks it off your shoulders, that is.”
    He glanced toward the door as if expecting Flo to barge in any minute, his expression wary.
    “Don’t tell me she’s your neighbor.”
    “Okay, I won’t tell you.”
    He groaned and rolled his shoulders as if remembering the friendly back slap he’d received at the diner. “What time does her shift end?”
    “Midnight, so as long as you’re out of here by then, you’re safe.”
    He glanced at his watch. “Count on it.”
    They stared at each other for an interminable moment in awkward silence.
    “How long are you in town for?” She finally blurted, wishing it didn’t sound so desperate.
    Not that she cared. Her interest stemmed purely from a business point of view; she had a lot to do before Hank and Olivia’s big day and didn’t need his interference, no matter how much she’d enjoyed his company tonight.
    “Just the weekend.”
    She managed a smile despite the disappointment. What had she expected, for him to stick around because of the weird attraction thing she’d concocted in her own head?
    “That should be long enough to convince my mom she’s making a huge mistake in marrying this Hank character and take her home.”
    Just like that he set a match to the love-hate thing she had going for him. One minute she wanted to jump his bones, the next she wanted to scratch his eyes out.
    Hank was the sweetest guy to walk the planet and he’d finally rediscovered romance after twenty years as a widower. Marc had some nerve rushing headlong into a situation he knew nothing about and trying to spoil the happiness of the one man in this world she could