Neal (Golden Streak Series) by Kathi S. Barton Read Free Book Online

other people. Help them when I can. I want to work for you.” Rayne shook
her head and stood up. “Wait, hear me out, please. I’m bored too. I’ve worked
as an accountant for my entire adult life. I need a change or I’m going to
explode. I’ve really enjoyed working for you today.”
    “I can’t help you. I don’t have the
money for someone to work for me, and I don’t want you hanging around me like
some sick puppy. I have to make this work. And I will. I don’t want you here.”
He moved to stand in front of her, and she backed against the table. “Don’t.”
    “How do I kiss you? How do I get to see
if your skin is as soft as it looks and as tasty as I think it is?” Her breath
hitched a little as he lowered his head to her shoulder and inhaled deeply.
“You smell so good to me. Like warm sunny days and sex.”
    “You can’t do this. I’m a monster and I
don’t want you.” He leaned in more and took a chance on running his tongue
along her pounding pulse. She moaned as he pressed his mouth over it and
nipped. “Please don’t do this. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
    He moved slowly as he suckled her flesh
into his mouth and touched her arms. When nothing happened, he moved his hands
up her elbows to her shoulders and wrapped around her. Her hands moved to his
shoulders. He was sure she was going to push him away. Lifting his head, he
looked at her mouth, and when she licked her lips, he groaned. The need to
taste her was like a fix he needed. Lowering his head to her mouth, he was
ready to taste what he was sure was paradise when something alerted him that
they were about to have company. Her mom came around the corner.

 
    Chapter 4
     
    Karin’s first instinct was to shove him
away, but then she realized that he was not doing anything to her little girl
that she didn’t want. She made a mental note to be a little noisier when the
young tiger was in the building or, for that matter, anywhere around her
daughter. Smiling to herself, she went to the sink and turned on the water. She
was washing her hands and thinking about the two of them together as a couple
when she felt the tension in the room.
    “I’ve locked up. All that needs to be
finished is the two planters for Monday and then tomorrow’s deliveries.” She
smiled bigger. “Oh and I have to go to work in the morning for a little while.
Not long but I won’t be able to be here when the Saturday morning rush comes
in. I’m sorry.”
    “It’ll be fine. Most of the people who
come in know where you are anyway if you’re not here. I can do it.” Karin hoped
that Neal would say he’d help. She nearly turned to hug him when he did.
    “I have nothing going on at work on
Saturday’s. I’ll be here.” She turned then to nod when she saw her daughter was
all the way across the room from him. They were going to need some help if this
was ever going to come to mean she’d have grandchildren any time soon.
    “No,” Rayne said as she moved to the
open doorway. “I don’t want you coming around here anymore. I’ve told you that
several times already. Just stay away from me and my shop.”
    Karin was sure that Rayne would have
slammed out of the room had there been a door, but that was on the next budget.
She looked at Neal as he stared at the door. The poor man looked like he wanted
to strangle someone. She cleared her throat, and he turned to her.
    “Is she always this stubborn, or is it
just me?” Karin sat at the table and nodded to the chair across from her. “I
don’t know what to do. I’m afraid of touching her without her permission, and I
don’t have a clue…what is she, Mrs. Hull?”
    She thought about telling him what she’d
been telling people for years, but if he really was her mate—and she had no
doubt now that he was—she felt he deserved the truth. Reaching under her shirt,
she pulled out the medallion hanging on a gold chain and pulled it off.
    “Do you know what this is?” He took it
from her when she