Lie to Me by Nicole L. Pierce Read Free Book Online

he doesn’t want to add to your woes.”
    “That’s why he told you, a stranger, and not me, his mother?” She couldn’t help the mild sarcasm.
    “Guys protect their mothers, even Wonder Woman types.” He could still recall his brief relationship with his mom before her death. Even though he recalled that she’d been sick a lot, she’d been an angel to him. He still would go after anyone who dared say a word against her.
    She tried not to smile, but once more it broke through.
    He traced her upturned lips with a roughened thumb. “He didn’t want to worry you or make you think he’s a wuss. Wuss is the word he used.”
    Casey shook her head. “Wow.” She felt a little better. Without thinking, she snuggled into his strong, hard body and he tightened his grip around her shoulders. A wave of annoying, distracting prickles rippled through her.
    When Damian spoke again, he looked down at her and she could feel his hot breath against her cheek. “The damn mill layoffs! That’s a big problem.”
    “It’s been horrible, Damian. Hundreds have been let go. For a town of only eight thousand, that’s a lot of unemployment.” She slipped her arm around his hard chest. Right now, if he’d tried to get up and leave, she’d have wrestled him to the ground. His smoky musky scent mingled with his enticing, raw masculinity.
    “If Miles starts to like me,” Damian said, his voice tickling her ear, “maybe I can take him to Alabama so he can get a fresh start.”
    She pulled back, astonished. “No! I won’t part with my son! Why don’t you move up here? You could see him all the time if you came back.”
    Damian looked at her, a slow, bitter smile crossing his closed lips, and then he turned his head. “I understand your fear. What if I start drinking again? I’d send him right back to you if that happened.”
    “I know you would.” She stared at him. His gazed lowered, and his features lined with self-recrimination. Even at this inopportune time, she noticed his toast-colored hair curling across his forehead in front, and just above his collar in back, his tawny skin stretched tightly over well-defined facial bones, and his petulant, wide lips. How could he even suggest taking her son away? “It would still be easier if you moved back.”
    “I don’t belong here, babe. My life is in Alabama now, my business—all my friends—and Reese, a very special person I’ve gotten close to.”
    “Who’s Reese?” She tried to sound nonchalant, even as her heart skipped a beat. She almost laughed at her stupidity. Why would a man as gorgeous and charming as Damian Ballantine not have a girlfriend? Or several?
    Damian rested his gaze on her. Was he holding back a grin? She’d kill him, if he were. “Sorry, Case. I forgot you didn’t know about her. Reese is my AA Sponsor.”
    Casey could taste bile in her throat. “Romantic interest too?” She tried not to sound jealous. She shouldn’t be jealous.
    “On her part.” He met her eyes squarely.
    This is insane. We aren’t married anymore. “You don’t love her?” She pretended to be stifling a yawn, and then wanted to slap herself upside the head. Why put on an act? Maybe they couldn’t be together, but she didn’t have to let him think she didn’t love him anymore. It would be too tiring to put on an act, especially when she loved him as much as she did.
    All right. I admitted it to myself. I love him.
    Damian was watching her with amused eyes. “I don’t love her in a passionate way,” he said, “But we’d make a compatible couple. Why? Does it bother you that I might marry again?” He cocked an eyebrow.
    He saw through her facade. Well, she was finished with it, but once again had the urge to clobber him. He wanted her to be jealous, although she wasn’t sure why.
    “I really don’t want to know about your romantic life, Damian.” Casey’s voice sounded as sharp a knife. She watched him, certain that her eyes matched her harsh voice.
    His eyes