His Taste of Temptation: In the Line of Duty, Book 3 by Cathryn Fox Read Free Book Online Page A

draw her close, to reassure her that everything was okay as he stripped off her clothes to show her just how right things could be between them.
    She doesn’t belong to you, dude.
    He handed over her duffle bag and she gave him a look that conveyed her uncertainty.
    “The bedroom is that way.” He pointed down the hall, dismissing her. “G’night.”
    “Oh,” she said, and something that looked like surprise and disappointment flashed in her eyes. “Okay.” She pulled her bag closer to her chest and took a step toward the hall. He watched her and wanted to kick himself for being an ass. By rights he should make her something warm to drink, run her a hot bath, or at least see if she needed a glass of water on her nightstand. But Jesus, he needed her away from him before he threw caution to the wind, forgot she was his brother’s girl, and drew her in for a real kiss, one he wouldn’t apologize for this time.
    His cock tightened as his lips twitched. “G,night,” he said again under his breath, a headache brewing.
    “Okay. G’night.” She stopped and turned back to him. “Brad?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Thank you.”
    His heart squeezed inside his chest. Christ, she was so fucking sweet. Here he was giving her the brush off, acting cold and indifferent because he needed her as far away from him as possible, and despite all that she was thanking him. Fuck, where was Garrett when he needed him? His best friend would have no problem giving Brad an ass kicking to help him get his head on straight. He grabbed his cell, needing to get out for a beer, but then quickly powered it down. He’d have to get used to the idea that Garrett was no longer a bachelor, ready to hit the bar at a moment’s notice. Now that he was with Tallulah, and they had a baby on the way, he had other commitments and the last thing he needed tonight was to hear Brad whining to him about Madison.
    Once she disappeared inside his room, Brad darted to the bathroom, needing a cold shower and something to occupy his mind, because if he for one minute thought about her sprawled across his bed, he might not be able to stop himself from going in there.
    After showering, he reached into his pants pockets to empty them before tossing them into the laundry. He found Madison’s cold medication. Hell, maybe he should take one or two. At least if he was flat out on his back, dead to the world on the couch, he wouldn’t have to fight the temptation to ravish her.
    He grabbed a pair of clean boxer briefs from the laundry basket in his living room, and after pulling them on, pushed a couple pills through the blister pack. Needing something to wash them down with, he grabbed a beer from the fridge. Yeah, mixing the two probably wasn’t his best move, but goddammit he wanted the combination to knock the shit right out of him.
    He grabbed a blanket and pillow from the small linen closet and threw himself down on the couch. He flicked on the TV, hoping the sound would drown out the world around him. Soon enough cars on the road below became a distant buzz as his body shut down for the night.
    His mind drifted, and a long time later he woke to the glow of the television. He swallowed the dryness in his throat and reached for the remote. Still half-asleep, he flicked the television off and made his way to the kitchen for a drink of water. He stood before the air conditioner letting it cool his body before he put his mouth under the tap. He took a long swallow, then made his way to his bed, his body craving a few more hours sleep.
    He climbed into his side but there was something niggling at his brain, something he was supposed to remember. Except at the moment he was too damn tired to care, the medication and concussion pulling him under like a tsunami wave. Whatever it was, he’d figure it out in the morning.
    He drifted off to sleep, but he slept restlessly, his mind dreaming of Madison. Dreaming of kissing her, stripping away those sweats she wore to expose her