Frontline by Alexandra Richland Read Free Book Online Page A

reminds me of his weak story about how he acquired the gash, but I’m going to sound bat-shit crazy if I bring that one up again.
    Mr. Merrick regards me reproachfully. “You know, Miss Peters, you talk about not trusting me, but you’re the one who lied to Christopher to get out of our date tonight.”
    I sigh. This conversation is getting both of us nowhere.
    “You have to understand, I don’t even know you and you expect me to be all fine with being picked up by God knows who, and driven outside of the city to God knows where, so I can have dinner with you. That wouldn’t be very smart on my part, would it? I could disappear without a trace and end up on the late night news.”
    Mr. Merrick moves closer and drifts his fingertips down my face. I close my eyes and press my cheek against his palm.
    “Didn’t you enjoy our kiss last night, Miss Peters?” His voice sounds rough, wanting.
    “Yes, I did.”
    I whimper as he sweeps his hand around the back of my neck and brings his lips to my ear. “Then come to my estate for dinner this evening.”
    As his thumb strokes my nape, I revisit my euphoria from last night in the ER. Except now we’re in my apartment and mere feet from my bed.
    I open my eyes and meet his seductive stare. There is no way I can continue to hold back my true feelings. “I find this entire situation very surreal. On top of it all, you’re pushy and arrogant. I have to watch out for myself.”
    Mr. Merrick moves his face closer to mine. I hold my breath, thinking he’s going to kiss me. Just before our lips meet, he turns his head and brushes his nose across my cheek. The air rushes out of my lungs.
    “I would never hurt you, Sara. You must trust me.”
    He sounds sincere and I’m compelled to believe him.
    With a sharp hiss, he drops his head to my shoulder and pulls our bodies together. “Tell me you change your mind.”
    “I . . . I . . .” Words fail me as he moves my shirt collar aside and grazes his teeth across my skin.
    “Tell me you’ll see me tonight.”
    As he trails hot kisses down my throat, I throw my head back and melt into his arms, succumbing to the pleasure that radiates throughout my body. I may have let my guard down, but this time I think I know exactly what I’m doing.
    “Yes, I’ll have dinner with you tonight.”
    Mr. Merrick removes his lips from my neck and plants his hands on my waist.
    “You want me, don’t you?” He stares into my eyes, daring me to deny what he already knows.
    I nod.
    His fingers dig into my hips. “Say it.”
    “Yes, I want you.”
    He pulls me in tight. “Then don’t ever lie to me again.”
    Mr. Merrick frames my face in his hands and places a firm kiss to my lips before pulling away, leaving me flushed and unsteady.
    His eyes darken as they land on my taut nipples. “Nice shirt.”
    I arch my back slightly. He’s not the only one allowed to dish out the sexual teasing around here. “I know.”
    “You are not to leave your apartment like this.”
    I drag my hand down his chest to his stomach, retracting just before I reach his belt. “Does that mean I’m for your eyes only, Mr. Merrick?”
    “That’s exactly what I mean, Miss Peters.”
    I look up at him with wide eyes. “Well, then, aren’t you a lucky man?”
    His notorious smirk appears. As he walks to the door, I can’t stop smiling. Although I’m definitely remaining on alert tonight, I’m not as unsure about our date as I was earlier.
    Upon opening the front door, Mr. Merrick inspects the bolt and chain. He jiggles the doorknob and frowns. “I’m having this replaced.”
    My eyebrows knit together. “What do you mean? It’s fine.”
    “It’s not fine. It’s dangerous. You live on your own —this sorry excuse for a lock is unacceptable.”
    “I can take care of myself.”
    “You must always ask who it is before opening the door,” he says, sounding like a parent scolding a disobedient child. “I could’ve been anybody. You need an alarm system