Murderous Lies by Chantel Rhondeau Read Free Book Online Page B

fodder for the gossip mill in town.
    Now Max being back was just one more mark against her. She thought she could at least count on Kelsey to be a true friend, but she was wrong. Kelsey gossiped just like the others. All Rose had was herself.
    Stepping into the parking lot, she spotted Max’s beat up car across the street and him sitting inside, window down as he waited for her. By now, she knew his habit. He’d follow behind her a few car lengths to her next stop and then circle around after she parked, watching until she went inside.
    She needed to find out why he left last weekend when she had agreed they should work together. Maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t all alone. Maybe she had Max too.

Chapter Six
    M ax followed behind Rose’s truck, not bothering with trying to keep his distance like he normally did when following her. Rose had looked over and waved before climbing behind the wheel. Unfortunately, he wasn’t particularly stealthy. Partly because he wanted her to know that no matter the troubles between them, he would still protect her.
    After being at the boathouse today, watching her cross the diner’s lot was more frustrating than ever before. If anything, Rose’s body had firmed over the years. The muscles of her tight thighs flexed in her small black shorts, and when she turned around, her ass was even higher and firmer than he remembered. He could imagine pulling her against him, taking those muscular globes in his hands...
    Max swallowed hard and eased off the gas pedal, realizing he was driving too close to Rose’s bumper. He really needed something more to hold at night than himself. It was a good thing Rose wasn’t speaking to him, or keeping his hands to himself would be even harder.
    To his surprise, Rose didn’t drive her usual route, and Max soon realized she headed to her house. Fridays must be her night off from the gas station. When she turned into the driveway, he parked in his usual spot across the street. It was a little harder to hide his presence in the daylight, so it was a good thing she already knew.
    Rose jumped from the truck and headed to the mailbox.
    Max ground his teeth and leaned his head against the steering wheel. This was getting out of control. Even with his eyes closed, his imagination supplied the image of the way her top jiggled in all the right places while she trotted across the yard.
    “You aren’t three, you know?”
    Max startled at Rose’s mocking tone and opened his eyes. “What are you talking about?”
    She grinned, gripping what looked like junk mail in her hand. “Just because you close your eyes, that doesn’t mean I can’t see you.”
    He laughed, glad she felt positive enough to crack a joke. “I wasn’t hiding.”
    The breeze tugged playfully at her hair, but she tilted slightly and looked toward the house. “No, you haven’t been. And people in town have noticed. Freakin’ nosey jerks.”
    She sounded upset, and the urge to caress her arm and offer comfort was almost too much to resist. “Is someone hassling you?”
    Maybe the real killer didn’t like the fact that Rose was never alone. Hard to leave a nasty threat on her doorstep and blame it on Max when he was nearly always in sight to protect her.
    Rose’s jaw clenched, straining the muscles of her neck. “Is someone hassling me? Try everyone.” She glanced back down and her face softened when their eyes met. “Never mind. They don’t matter. Come inside and I’ll fix lunch.”
    Max hesitated, not sure he should go back into the house. She’d obviously felt pressure to take his side before, going so far as to kiss him. Max didn’t want her to feel forced into believing him. Not if she thought he could be a killer.
    She raised her eyebrows. “You’re not moving. Is that a no to lunch?”
    Screw it. He wanted to spend time with her, and he’d given Rose all week to think things over without his interference. If she decided he was innocent, it wasn’t because he forced her into