Dangerous to Know by Dawn Ryder Read Free Book Online

The guy didn’t have a bendable bone in his body, much less anything that could in any way be considered submissive.
    â€œMercer.” He reached up and scratched Harley. “But I enjoyed the personal nature of our interaction last night. You’d have learned my name if you’d taken a ride with me.”
    There was such a double meaning to the word ride . She shot him a suspicious look. “Is there a reason you’re trying so hard to invade my space? I’m feeling a lot like Omaha Beach.”
    He choked on a fit of laughter.
    â€œYou’ve officially crossed into the creepy zone.”
    His expression changed instantly, his eyes losing their glint of amusement. “Is there a reason you’re assuming I came here today to see you?”
    Maybe she was being presumptuous, but there was something about the way he was watching her that started an alarm blaring somewhere in the back of her brain. It was centered in the memories of her dad questioning everything. He’d raised her to be no one’s fool and to remember that the world was full of bad guys.
    â€œYeah, there is.” She reached out and Harley stepped onto her forearm. She brought the bird close, stroking his back gently. “These free events attract single parents looking for something to do with their kids that won’t cost them a small fortune, and families out to keep their budgets tight. You are neither.”
    â€œYou’re a suspicious one, Zoe.”
    She turned around from putting Harley in his carrier to find Mercer only two spaces behind her.
    â€œThe newspaper covered the event, had your name, city of residence, and telephone number for those interested in booking parrot parties. Your friend happily gave me your name last night.”
    â€œAll right. Fair enough, still slightly creepy. I hope you enjoyed the afternoon.” Her emotions were churning inside her, part of her fascinated with the raw magnetism he gave off, while the other side of her grew more suspicious. He was pressing her.
    â€œI’d enjoy it more if you’d have dinner with me.”
    â€œWhy?”
    Mercer slipped his hands into his pockets. On most men, the pose would have looked relaxed; on him, it appeared calculated. The man just seemed too controlled not to have every move thought out.
    â€œI think I’m about to call you fickle, Zoe. You didn’t want to throw caution to the wind last night, so I’m here doing the respectable thing and asking you to dinner. Which way do you want it?”
    Her lips went dry at the challenge.
    â€œMaybe I don’t want it at all.”
    His hands were out of his pockets in a flash. A second later he had one flattened on the closed rear door of her midsized SUV. Sensation prickled along her limbs, raising goose bumps. The man even smelled sexy. Some faint hint of soap lingered, but it was his own unique scent that seemed to speed up the rate of arousal inside her until it was hard to ignore.
    She felt like she was suspended between breaths, that he could see exactly what effect he was having on her as their gazes fused.
    The damn world felt off balance, the pair of them stuck in some crazy moment between dimensions. She was getting high on him.
    â€œThe attraction between us isn’t common, Zoe. It felt like the article in the newspaper was written just to get me another chance to see you. You’re right, this isn’t my normal scene, but I wanted to see you again.” He leaned closer, his warm breath teasing the delicate skin of her lips. “So I’m asking you to dinner, like a nice guy .”
    â€œYou’re nothing of the sort,” she accused softly, her voice gone husky.
    His eyes narrowed and his other hand cupped her nape. “Like I said, you’re perceptive.” His voice dipped lower until it was hypnotic. “Something I like a whole lot. Makes me wonder how spot-on your intuition would be once we get past the trust