Fools Rush In by Ginna Gray Read Free Book Online Page B

angry sway of her hips as she stalked away, his eyes glittering with masculine appreciation. Yessir, Erin Blaine was one hell of a woman.
    Common sense told him he'd be foolish even to think of getting involved with her. She was his secretary's sister, for Pete's sake. Things could get sticky in one big hurry, he cautioned himself.
    Besides, how could you have a relationship with a woman who not only didn't live in the same town as you, but who was seldom even in the same country? According to Elise, Erin maintained an apartment in Houston, but it was little more than a place she visited between assignments.
    Any way he looked at it, he'd be asking for trouble if he gave in to the attraction. It was ill-advised, impractical, maybe even downright stupid. Max's lips twitched again, and he expelled a wry, self-deprecating sigh. And... it was irresistible. It might not rank as the smartest move he ever made, but he was going to do his damnedest to get to know Erin Blaine.
    Erin reached the blue Chevy, jerked open the driver's door, climbed in and slammed it shut.
    Max winced, his smile growing into a grin. But first, he decided prudently, he'd give her time to cool off.
    Of course, there wasn't a hope in hell of her coming to the office tomorrow. He'd known that. But the temptation to needle her, to see that captivating flash of fire again, had simply been too strong to resist.
    Well, he could wait. At least until tomorrow evening.
    Erin gunned the engine, and the car shot backward out of the parking space. She slammed on the brakes, bringing the vehicle to a shuddering halt, gunned the engine again and went careering across the lot, tires squealing and rubber burning. Barely reducing speed, she made a fishtail turn onto the road, sending dust and gravel flying, and headed toward Santa Fe.
    Max laughed. On second thought, maybe the day after tomorrow would be better.
    He eased the big car toward the exit at a more sedate pace. He had every intention of returning home, but at the last moment, acting on impulse, he swung the Lincoln in the opposite direction and followed the rapidly diminishing taillights. I'll just see that she gets home safely, he told himself as he closed the gap.
    He caught up with the blue compact easily, but it meant driving faster than he cared to on the narrow mountain road. Keeping up with her was not much better, he discovered. A quick glance at the speedometer had his smile dissolving into a frown. "Damn fool woman," he muttered. "Driving like a flatlander on a mountain road. Dear God! Doesn't she have any better sense?"
    The downgrade wasn't too bad at that point, but he knew that very soon it would be. If she didn't slow down, she was going to be in real trouble. Grimly, Max trailed her. His gaze flicked again to the speedometer. To his horror, he saw that she was accelerating steadily.
    "Slow down. Slow down, for God's sake!" he muttered helplessly. His jaw clenched. His hands tightened around the wheel. Guilt over the way he had goaded her twisted his stomach into a sickening knot. Fear made his skin crawl. "There's a curve up ahead, dammit!" he shouted, as though he could make her hear him. "Slow down!"
    He glanced at the speedometer again and spat an obscenity. His balled fist struck the horn and gave it three long blasts. "Hit the brakes, damn you! Hit the brakes!"
    ❧

    Erin pumped the brake pedal frantically. Instead of meeting resistance, she felt as though she were stepping on a sponge. And the Chevy was still going fast.
    She willed herself to stay calm, but her heart began to pound. Panic crept over her like icy fingers. Licking her lips, Erin clutched the wheel and fought down the terror. Her breath came in short, labored pants.
    She pumped the brake again. On the third push it went all the way to the floor.
    "Oh, dear Lord!" Erin whimpered. For an instant her mind went blank with fear. Eyes wide, she sat frozen, staring through the windshield. All she saw was the road rushing toward her in