Dangerous to Know by Merline Lovelace Read Free Book Online Page A

very well of a night.”
    â€œI do all right,” Maggie returned dryly.
    It didn’t surprise her that this young tough had guessed Meredith’s occupation with one sweeping glance. In fact, it wouldn’t have surprised her to learn that he occasionally actedas a middleman in negotiations for just the type of services Meredith offered. His thin, pinched face and shrewd, too-knowing eyes hinted at a life on the streets.
    â€œMay I borrow fifty francs?” Paige asked, wrapping her arms around her chest to ward off the cool, breezy air in the suite. “Just until I arrange to have my traveler’s checks replaced? I promised to pay—”
    She broke off, her mouth dropping, as a tall, broad-shouldered figure stepped out from beside the armoire.
    Glancing from her to Doc and back again, Maggie couldn’t tell who was the more thunderstruck.
    â€œPaige?” he growled.
    â€œDavid?” she squeaked.
    A cheerful young voice broke the stark silence that followed. “Me, I am Henri. Someone will pay me fifty francs, yes?”

Chapter 4
    S tunned, Paige stood unmoving.
    Some distant corner of her mind registered the whisper of cool air that raised goose bumps on her damp skin. She heard the muted roar of the sea across the street. She tasted the tang of salt as she ran the tip of her tongue along suddenly dry lips.
    â€œDavid?” she repeated weakly.
    He didn’t answer, except to stride forward and sweep her into his arms.
    With a tiny sob, Paige lost herself in his solid, comforting warmth. Her fingers clutched at the scratchy wool of his jacket, and she strained against him for endless, wonderful moments. Then his hand tangled in her hair. He brought her head back and crushed her mouth with his. For once, he didn’t control his emotions.
    His rough kiss was all that she’d dreamed of. Hard. Searing. Scorching in its intensity.
    And over too soon.
    Far too soon.
    Paige gasped an indistinct protest as he dragged his mouthfrom hers and held her head steady in both hands, scrutinizing her face with narrowed eyes.
    â€œAre you all right?”
    Still dazed by the raw power of that kiss, she could only stare back at him. It took her a moment to realize that whatever he’d experienced in that brief, shattering moment, he’d already managed to bring it under control.
    While her heart was thudding erratically in her chest, David showed only an icy calm.
    While her lips ached for his touch, his were drawn into a thin, tight line.
    â€œAre you all right?” he repeated, his eyes searching hers.
    Still unable to speak, she pushed herself a little way out of his arms. Or tried to.
    As she stumbled back, the narrow lamé band caught on David’s tip clip. To her horror, the fabric dragged downward. She splayed one hand across her breasts and tugged frantically at the soggy band with the other.
    David unsnared her and shrugged out of his jacket. “Here, take this.”
    Her face flaming, Paige stood rigid as he dropped the worsted around her shoulders. She heard a stir behind her and remembered that there were others present. The heat in her face intensified even more.
    She glanced behind her and caught the other woman’s eyes. Friendliness shone in their green depths, and a carefully banked curiosity. Paige started to respond to the unspoken question there, and then noticed for the first time Meredith’s short dressing gown. The pale lavender silk brushed the tops of her legs. Her very long and very bare legs.
    The soaring combination of relief and joy that had swept through her when she saw David faltered.
    Meredith moved forward, the silk swishing against her bare skin. “Why don’t you bring her into the sitting room, Doc? So we can find out what happened?”
    Doc?
    The easy familiarity with which this woman addressed Davidplummeted through Paige like a stone dropping into a well. Numbly she felt him take her elbow and steer her toward