Grace Anne by Kathi S. Barton Read Free Book Online Page B

somewhere on the upper
floors. This one was for putting together her business.
    The array of colors around the
room were a little too much for him, but the more he stared at them, the more
he could see that they weren’t just thrown about like he’d first thought, but
in an order that he could see now had been thought out, colors and patterns
together along with buttons, zippers, and other things like ribbons and things;
he’d never guess what they were in a million years. The mannequins, several of
them with materials draped over them in layers, stood in a long line; a large
container of scissors sat on a tray along with a stapler and rolls of tape. She
was designing things with not only style, but with colors, patterns, and
accessories. He turned back to her when she started to speak.
    “If you just leave me alone they’ll
leave you alone too. They only threatened you because you…they think you might
mean something to me. I’m sure that once you buy the building—”
    “You think you can hide from them
and that selling me the building will give you the money to do it, don’t you?” When
she looked at him he could see the truth of his words in her face. “It won’t
work. They may give up on Trace and myself, but they will eventually find you
again and then what? Do you want to keep running from it, or simply wait until
they find some other family you attach yourself to in order to get to you?”
    “I never asked you and your family
to come here. I never asked you to bring your son into my life that day. I was
doing just fine until you had to have my building.” She stood up and he nearly
smiled at the fire. He liked this much better than the beaten girl she’d just
been.
    “No, you didn’t. But now we are.”
He watched her pace and tried to regain control of his wayward thoughts,
thoughts of stripping her down and seeing what delights she had on under those
soft, flannel pants and t-shirt. “Who is it that was on the phone and how many
calls have you received?”
    Her laugh was short and harsh. “You
mean today or just over the past week? Never mind, it doesn’t matter. Suffice
it to say that there have been numerous. I’m selling, Mr. Cunningham. If you
want this building, then tell me now or it goes on the market. Your choice.”
    Michael stood and walked to her. He
wanted the building, but right now, right this moment, all he could think about
was her leaving him. He didn’t know why that thought was there, but he suddenly
didn’t want her gone. She backed away as he moved closer.
    “Hasn’t anyone ever told you not
to run from a predator? As prey, you would do better to gather your forces and
make a stand.” He pulled off his jacket and tossed it toward the chair. “There
are greater strengths in numbers, Grace.”
    “I know what I’m doing.” He moved
closer as he pulled his tie loose and left it hanging. He toed off his shoes as
he moved. “Unless you plan to try on one of the dresses over there you’d better
stop taking off clothes.”
    Her voice had gotten huskier and
low. He felt it as though she’d touched him, ran her voice along his skin, and
caressed him. He unbuckled his belt and pulled it free of the loops. “No. I’m
not going to try on dresses. Take off your shirt, Grace. It’s making me crazy
trying to imagine what you have on beneath it.” She didn’t move, but he could
see her nipples harden. “Grace, take off the shirt or I will.”
    She backed up several steps as he
moved closer. She stopped when she backed against the long counter behind her. When
he was about a foot from her he reached out, ran his fingers over her breast,
and never took his eyes from hers.
    “Are you bare beneath here? I can
feel the lace of something and it makes my mouth water to taste you.” He lifted
her breast in his hand and watched her eyes flutter closed. “Watch me, Grace. Watch
while I suckle at your nipple and taste you.”
    Michael stepped the last foot to
her, lifted her by her