Irresistible Stranger by Jennifer Greene Read Free Book Online Page A

one glass wall overlooking the mountainside.
    A deer could do the voyeur thing, for heaven’s sake; the man must have no modesty at all. And since Lily’d had to use the facility, she’d accidentally noticed his office, because it was right across the hall. These days, everybody had their computer corner, someplace where dusty cords reproduced on the floor and a desk was heaped with paper. But not like this. Griff’s office looked something like a war room at the Pentagon. She had no idea what work he did—particularly since he claimed to do no work at all beyond experimenting with ice cream for fun—but that office was no play station.
    She wasn’t quite sure how she wanted to deal with the liar yet, so she focused on the immediate priorities. Once the browned chicken was popped in the oven, she tested the potatoes. They were almost ready to mash. She searched for a bowl, then collected sour cream, cream cheese, fresh chives, shredded cheddar and pepper.
    â€œYour kitchen’s beyond awesome. Is this where you play with the ice-cream flavors?”
    â€œAlmost never. The vault at the store is ideal for working with that.”
    â€œThere’s nothing more ideal than this kitchen that I’ve ever seen.” She finished another sip of wine, then added, “Be ready in about ten.”
    â€œI set up right here.” He motioned to the glass table.“But that doesn’t mean we have to stick to that plan. If you want to eat outside—”
    â€œBite your tongue, handsome. I can see that gorgeous patio outside, but it’s okay with me if I never experience heat again.”
    â€œYou’re a wuss, Lily.”
    â€œTell me something I don’t know.”
    He stopped talking altogether, once the food hit the table. It couldn’t have been a more ordinary dinner: mashed potatoes, fresh asparagus, the chicken parmesan. She’d figured what to cook based on a single factor. He was a guy. So normally, he wouldn’t take the time to make ordinary good food.
    And from the way he was shoveling it in, she’d judged that question fairly well.
    â€œDid I mention before that I was in love with you?” he asked.
    â€œYou didn’t, but I was expecting it. I’m sure you say that to all the girls.” She enjoyed the flirting. She still hadn’t figured out why he was flirting with an ordinary schoolteacher—like herself. But it seemed pretty darn silly not to like it. Life was too darn stressful these days not to savor a smile when she could win one.
    â€œYeah, I do. But this time I mean it. Where’d you learn to cook like this? Would you live with me? Would you like jewelry, diamonds or rubies or something? Now’s the time to ask,” he assured her. “There’s probably nothing I wouldn’t give you.”
    â€œOh, good.” She finished eating long before he did. She poured him another glass of wine—she’d hadenough—and cupped her chin in a palm. “I want to hear where you came from. How you ended up here.”
    â€œAw. You don’t want to hear that boring old history.”
    She raised her eyebrows. “You said I could have anything I wanted.”
    â€œOkay. You asked.” He reeled off the stats. Core family based out of Savannah, but his father was career military, so there was a lot of moving around. He had two younger brothers, one living in Idaho, the other in Vermont. He’d gone to college.
    She made a disgusted sound. “Okay. I take it you never want me to cook for you again?”
    â€œWhoa. Wait.”
    She made a come-on motion with her hands. “Less bare bones. More real story.”
    The sky blurred, blued, backdropping the hilly landscape with jewel colors and softness. When he talked her into going outside on the slab of a white patio—and it took some convincing—she discovered it wasn’t hot, not this high above the tree level. Instead, it