Highly Charged! by Joanne Rock Read Free Book Online Page A

It’s difficult for writers to be so personally vulnerable. Her fans love her for the risks she took, both with the erotica and with her journals.”
    â€œSo she inspired you, too. Are you writing a memoir?” He refrained from mentioning how amenable he’d be to helping her write erotica. He had at least twenty scene ideas in mind. Most involved rolling around with her on that futon so close he could practically touch it. But any scenario that put her naked and under him would be worth commemorating in print.
    â€œNo. At least, not yet. I just want to pay her back for the help she gave me as a struggling graduate student. I would have never published my dissertation or even finished the degree program if it wasn’t for Chloe’s help. I was really floundering when I found her. I owe her my whole teaching career.”
    He waited for a moment, in case she decided to add in a confidential whisper that she was working on an erotica project when she wasn’t busy overhauling the old house.
    No such admission seemed forthcoming.
    â€œSo you’ve spent the last couple of weeks making plans for renovating the house and turning it into something that her fans will enjoy,” he said finally.
    â€œYes.” She folded her arms, the action drawing his attention to high, round breasts that deserved a whole chapter, if and when they got around to penning a joint sexy memoir that chronicled their soon-to-be affair. “I’ve been working on the house plans and starting on the grounds—”
    Her mouth snapped shut suddenly. Strangely. As if she’d said too much and wanted to stop herself. Of course, that was ridiculous since they’d been in the middle of an innocuous conversation about how she’d spent the last couple of weeks working around the property.
    â€œSo what else have you been doing in the yard?” It wasn’t just small talk. He wanted to know. Big changes were in order here, and he was curious about the end results.
    More than that, he was curious about her. He’d never talk her into that affair if he didn’t get to know her better.
    â€œUm.” She straightened, the veneer of relaxation gone. “Just pulling up some weeds and mowing down the brush.” She jumped up out of her chair. “Can I get you a drink?”
    â€œNo, thank you.” He rose as well, wondering why she’d turned edgy all of the sudden. Had he allowed his explicit thoughts about her to show in his expression? “Is everything okay?”
    â€œSure—yes,” she blurted awkwardly. “Fine. Perhaps I’ll get a drink for me.”
    He steadied her shoulders, just to keep her in place a moment longer.
    â€œDoes it make you nervous, having me here?” he asked. His heart thudded low and hard at the feel of her against his fingertips.
    He meant to release her—and he would in a moment—but he had the distinct impression she’d bolt the second he let go.
    It seemed an odd reaction when they’d already been together most of the day. She hadn’t been this jumpy when they’d sat across the dinner table from each other.
    â€œNot at all.” She seemed to realize how ridiculous that sounded when she was poised for flight, because she took a deep breath and quit edging toward the kitchen. “Okay, maybe a little nervous.”
    His hands fell away. Maybe it would be tougher than he’d bargained to work his way into her favor anytime soon.
    â€œI must have really read this wrong.” He took a step back, not wanting to intimidate her. “Because even though I only offered to come here tonight to keep you safe, I have to admit I thought there was a connection between us earlier today.”
    Speechless, she shook her head, dark hair dusting her shoulders. Was she mute with horror at the prospect? Or simply denying she’d felt any such thing? This was going downhill in a hurry.
    â€œWhen we shook hands this