Fiancé at Her Fingertips by Kathleen Bacus Read Free Book Online Page A

this, uh, Logan alone first, if you wouldn’t mind.”
    Her father smiled. “I understand, daughter. You’ve got some making up to do—or is ‘making out’ more apt?”
    Debra felt her face grow warm. She frowned. Jeesch . You’d think that at over thirty she’d be beyond blushing. “I just want to talk to him in private for a second, Dad,” she said.
    Her father wagged a finger at her. “Don’t scare him off, young lady,” he instructed, heading for the kitchen. “Leave that to your mother.”
    Debra took a deep breath and flew to the front door, yanking it open before their guest had a chance to ring the bell. She put a hand to her throat. She took a step back. Her legs quivered and went all Slinky on her. She stared in shock at the sight of the tall, striking man standing in the doorway. She steadied herself against the door frame, afraid she might actually pass out.
    God in Heaven! It was him. Her Fiancé at Your Fingertips!
    Debra struggled to get air around the heart lodged in her throat. Her mouth felt as dry as her mother’s cake doughnuts. Absolutely nothing could have prepared her for such devastating good looks. Such overwhelming masculinity.
    Such obvious signs of life!
    “Snickers.” The living, breathing pinup on the front step spoke, his voice deep, husky, and incredibly appealing despite the fact that he couldn’t be talking at all. His eyes seemed to darken as they took a slow, seductive inventory of her, as if reacquainting themselves after a long absence. “You’re a sightfor sore eyes, babe. I don’t know how you did it, but you’ve gone and made yourself even more beautiful.” He reached for her and took her into his arms. Before she could react, his lips brushed her ear.
    “Hello, gorgeous,” he whispered. “Wanna get lucky?”

Chapter Five
    Mr. Right will possess the necessary skills to promote harmony and accord within the family unit .
    All coherent thought in Debra’s head took a sudden hiatus. She focused on the first thing he’d said. “How…how do you know my nickname?” she managed. He stepped past her into the living room. She just stared.
    “Your father told me, of course. I like it. I wonder why you’ve never mentioned it before.”
    Her brain began to function again. Because we’ve never had a conversation. Because you’re not real. Because I’ve never laid eyes on you before except in a five- by- seven photograph from a $19.95 novelty gift item . She shook her head. She sounded nuttier by the minute.
    Debra turned to stare at the great-looking but make-believe mister presently making himself at home in her parents’ living room. She crossed her arms over her chest. “What are you doing here?” she asked. “Did somebody put you up to this?”
    “What? No welcome-home kiss?”
    She blinked. “I asked what you’re doing here.”
    “Your father invited me.”
    “Look, I don’t know if this is your idea of some bad joke, or someone’s idea of payback, but you have to leave. Now!”
    He sighed. “Still upset with me, I see. I’d hoped you’d taken the time to think things through and understood why I went to St. Louis.”
    Debra tried to control the shaking that suddenly rackedher body. “Listen, mister. I could care less why you went to St. Louis. I’m more concerned with what has brought you here. Now. Today.”
    “I told you. Your father asked me to lunch.”
    She uncrossed her arms, watching him closely for any sudden moves, her weight balanced in a defensive stance. “Okay, so where are the hidden cameras? I’d like to know so I can show my most flattering profile.”
    He gave her an inscrutable look.
    “Come on! Lay the surprise on me! Bring it on!” she challenged.
    “Okay, Debra, I’ll level with you. I wanted to see you. To talk to you. To kiss that sour-apple look off your face.” He inched closer.
    “What? Are you for real?” She pushed past him to the relative safety of the other side of the room. “Why on earth would you