If She Dares (Contemporary Romance) by Tanya Michaels Read Free Book Online

Juliet’s married to one of my police buddies. I’m not seeing anyone.” Honesty prompted him to add, “Which is the way I prefer it. I broke up with someone not long ago, and I’m enjoying the drama-free life. I’m not...cut out for romance. Some of my happily married friends can’t seem to grasp that.”
    Rather than treat him like a commitment-phobe who “just needed to meet the right woman,” Riley nodded. “I keep telling my mom I’m not in a place where I want to be dating, but that doesn’t stop her from trying to fix me up. I think because I’m the oldest, she—” The puppy in her arms wriggled, drawing her attention. “This one needs a chance to run around. I should get her to my place, in case there are any chewing incidents or other mishaps. We’ve imposed on you enough.”
    “It wasn’t a hardship.” To prove his point, he ran his hand over the puppy’s head. “Does she have a name?”
    “Maybe, but I don’t know what it is. I found her at a crosswalk this afternoon. I figure I’ll go back with pictures and see if I can track down her owner.”
    “And if not?”
    “No idea. My sister and her husband occasionally debate whether they’re ready to be parents. Maybe they could start with a dog. Or...” She sighed wistfully.
    “You’d keep her in a heartbeat, wouldn’t you?”
    “I can’t. Therefore, naming her would be a mistake.”
    “Do you have anything to feed her? I can send that leftover chicken with you.” He smirked. “Pack a doggie bag, as it were. See—you’re not the only one who can make lame puns.”
    “I’d appreciate having something to feed her. I hadn’t thought that far ahead yet. I don’t know what to do about a leash, either. Guess I’ll lay some newspaper down in my bathroom and let her run around while I take a shower.”
    First the cuddling, and now accompanying Riley to the shower? That was one lucky damn pooch.
    He swallowed. “Well, if you do decide to keep the fuzz-bucket—”
    “I can’t,” she repeated.
    And yet, he had a strong suspicion she wasn’t going to let that stop her. “Understood. But just in case...” He grabbed a piece of junk mail off the stack on the counter and wrote Juliet’s name and number on the back of the envelope. “Here’s Dr. Burke’s information. I think the veterinary clinic where she works is pretty close.”
    “Thanks. In the meantime, I trust that if you hear odd noises coming from my apartment, you won’t report me?”
    “Report you?
I’m
the one who smuggled in the contraband canine, remember?”
    “Thanks for being my partner in crime.” Her lips curved in a smile so joyously naughty that a bolt of heat went through him.
    If she hadn’t been holding the fuzz-bucket, he wasn’t sure he would have been able to stop himself from reaching for her. It was the only time in his life Jack had ever felt grateful to a dog.
    * * *
    R AIN WAS POUNDING on the windows, and Riley woke with her heart in her throat. She sat straight up in bed, knowing she’d heard a noise inside the apartment. Knowing that danger was close.
Oh, God. He’s back
.
    A remote corner of her mind recognized this was only a dream, yet that didn’t quell the fear. Dread crowded out logic. Panic told her to hide, even though the faceless man could find her anywhere in her apartment. He always did.
    So escape the apartment!
If she ran as fast as she could, sprinted out of here, maybe she could break the cycle. Maybe she could find help. She was paralyzed, could barely move despite the instincts screaming at her, but she fought with every drop of willpower in her system. She swung her feet to the floor. As soon as her bare toes met the hardwood, she lurched forward, rushing blindly through her room, through an inexplicable maze of rooms, out her front door.
    Elation pumped through her. She wasn’t trapped. She wasn’t cornered and defenseless.
    Once she reached the safety of the hallway, she slammed her door shut, lightheaded with