Defensive Heart: The Donnolleys, Book 2 by Dorothy F. Shaw Read Free Book Online Page A

her once they were alone in his studio, he didn’t know. They crossed the street and Sonja’s cell rang. Jimmy steered them to the inner side of the sidewalk.
    Sonja dug her phone out of her purse and put it to her ear. “Yes, Casey?” They continued walking, but her steps slowed. “What? No. You were supposed to be home thirty minutes ago. Where are you?”
    Jimmy turned to look at her when she stopped walking. He pulled her to the side and then turned his back, trying to give her some privacy—but he wasn’t going to walk away from her. She’d have to deal with it.
    “Are his parents home…? Casey Olivia Martin, I told you I did not want you going over that boy’s house when his parents aren’t there.”
    He glanced over his shoulder at her. She was visibly upset, her brows drawn together in frustration.
    “Get home now… No. No!” She shook her head and turned away from him. “I will ground you if your behind isn’t home in the next thirty minutes, and believe me I will be calling your father about this one. I’ve had enough of your defiance. Get home now.” Sonja pulled the phone from her ear. Her shoulders sank and her head fell forward.
    Jimmy cupped her elbow in his palm. “Hey, you okay?”
    Sonja pulled her arm away. “Yes. Perfectly fine.” She let out a breath and shoved the phone back in her purse before turning back toward him. Squaring her shoulders, she stood in a defensive stance, ready to take on the world if necessary. “You’ve got fifteen minutes to show me your studio but then you’ll have to excuse me.”
    He put his hands in his pockets and gazed over her face, down her neck and shoulders, and to her legs. “That call sounded pretty upsetting. Care to share?”
    Her eyes widened and deepened into a slate-blue color. Fire and ice. This was how it would be with them. He knew it like he knew his own name, but there was no doubt in his mind she didn’t have a clue. Yet.
    She turned toward the street. “Don’t push me on this, James. It’s none of your concern. I should just go now.”
    “Look, you don’t want to tell me then don’t. But I don’t want you to go yet. We’re already here so let’s keep going. You can fight with me upstairs if you want.”
    She glared over her shoulder. “I’m not fighting with you.”
    “Yeah, you are. All good, Sonja. It’s our version of foreplay.” He smirked and held out his hand to her.
    “You’re twisted.”
    “Maybe a little. Come on.” He nodded to his outstretched hand and, after a long pause, she finally took it.
    They walked the remainder of the way in silence, hand-in-hand, turning the corner at the end of the block. Half a block later, they were in front of his building. He glanced at the metal door. Well, he’d gotten her to his studio. Fuck if he knew what to do with her next.

Chapter Seven
    Sonja stepped through the doorway of his building. It was clean and bright, which was a pleasant surprise. Nervous energy ran like a river from her palms to her chest and down to her stomach. What the hell am I doing? Was she really going to his studio? Alone?
    They entered the elevator and she drew in a breath. It’s just his studio, not his apartment or anything. She’d check out some of his art and be on her way. She had Casey to deal with after all. Her daughter was really beginning to push Sonja past her limits.
    The elevator moved at a snail’s pace and while she watched each floor number light up one at a time, James watched her. In fact, he only seemed to take his eyes off her when necessary. It bothered her. Like she was some sort of bug under a microscope or something. “You’re staring again.”
    “Get used to it.”
    She smoothed her hand up the back of her hair. “I don’t intend to get used to anything.”
    He chuckled and the masculine sound of it spread through her like warm honey. The elevator dinged, signaling his floor. Thank God. They’d only risen six floors, but the trip felt like they’d gone