His Perfect Woman (Harlequin Superromance) by Kay Stockham Read Free Book Online Page A

pictures hung over a water cooler located toward the front of the old house.
    â€œWhy don’t we talk in my office?”
    She nodded, her thoughts focusing on Bryan’s comment about Ellen. What exactly did being neighborly mean givenBryan’s reputation with women? Clearing her head with a shake, Melissa followed him into the paper-stacked room and tried to smile. What a mess. How on earth would she get everything straight?
    â€œHave a seat and tell me what brings you here on a beautiful Saturday morning,” he ordered, dropping into a worn but comfortable-looking leather chair. His grandfather’s?
    She glanced at the rolled arm. Yup, same one. There was a deep scratch where the buckle of her shoe had damaged it when she was six. It was amazing that it had lasted this long, and she found it sweet that Bryan had kept the old chair. “I’m sorry I woke you. I thought you’d be up.”
    His lips curled up slightly at the corners, and she felt a blush flood her face when she caught on to the double entendre. He didn’t comment further, but propped his elbow on the cushioned armrest and tilted his head to the side, his hand rubbing over his chin as he regarded her with an intense stare. Bryan’s gaze was probing and warm and way too slumberous for her liking, so she turned her back to him and studied yet more diplomas and awards. “I, uh, came to work.”
    â€œYou’re a couple days early. I’m not open on weekends.”
    â€œI know, but I wanted to get a head start,” she informed him while discovering he’d graduated at the top of his class. She moved on to the next frame, this one closer to the door. “Things were such a mess, I didn’t think you’d mind, but since you obviously do—”
    â€œI didn’t say that. I’m just curious as to why you want to spend a beautiful Saturday morning cooped up in here.”
    â€œLike I said, to make Monday easier.”
    Bryan rubbed his face again, the bristles on his jaw and chin rasping crisply against his fingers. “Hey, if you’re willing, by all means, let’s go for it.”
    She didn’t like the surge of mixed-up emotions she felt in response to his words. Bryan was a flirt by nature, and she’d seen him in action on numerous occasions. At the book-club discussion meetings at the library, in town and the B and B. He smiled, he winked, he spoke in a way that made women sit up and pay attention. She knew better than to take it seriously, but at the same time it was distracting and she didn’t want to be distracted. Not by him. Not ever. Maybe she should set that straight? Take the guesswork out of the equation?
    â€œLook, let’s go upstairs and—”
    â€œUpstairs?” she repeated huskily.
    â€œYeah. We can grab something to eat and talk about today before I get started showing you what I need from you. Something wrong?” Bryan stopped in front of her, standing too close for comfort, his expression and bad-boy looks appealing far too much to a woman who had to think with her head.
    â€œYes—I mean, no. N-not technically, but—”
    â€œSpit it out, Melissa.”
    â€œI think we need to talk.” She followed that up with a nod just in case she wasn’t clear.
    â€œAren’t we talking now?”
    His tone teased, bringing another blush to her cheeks. She felt silly, unsophisticated, but determined. “Before I consider taking on this job, I think we need to get some things straight. Important things.”
    â€œImportant things,” he repeated, drawing the words out. “Like what?”

CHAPTER FOUR
    B RYAN STARED at Melissa, his gut twisted into a knot of unease. She had that look. The look women wore when they were determined to put a guy in his place. A look Melissa had worn often as a kid. He’d learned the hard way that he might have always been bigger and stronger, but Melissa was smarter.
    The