No Turning Back by Tiffany Snow Read Free Book Online

lock before gently wrapping its wavy length around a finger. I didn't move.
    "I'll take care of it," he said softly. I didn't know what he was talking about and I felt like I couldn't breathe. His chest was inches away from me and his eyes intently gazed into mine.
    "Take care of what?" I finally managed to say, my voice much more breathy than I would have liked. My eyes drifted unwillingly to his mouth.
    The corners of his perfectly carved lips tipped upward. "Your car," he said, and I jerked my eyes back up to his. "I'll take care of your car."
    Oh. Okay. Of course I knew that had been what he meant. "You don't have to do that," I protested.
    His finger tugged my hair lightly. "It would be my pleasure," he said, his lips still curved in a smile that was part friendly, part wicked. I unconsciously licked my lips. His gaze dropped to my mouth before returning to my eyes.
    "I'll need these," he said, gently removing the keys from my hand. "Good night, Kathleen." He released my hair and stepped away. My vocal chords were no longer functioning properly so I didn't get a chance to say anything before he was gone.
    Shakily closing and locking the door, I flipped on the light switch. The lamp next to my mother's old couch turned on and I sank down into the familiar cushions, trying to catch my breath. No wonder he had women falling all over him. Being near him and experiencing his full attention was enough to make me forget all the reasons for staying far away from Blane's magnetic appeal.
    I rubbed the back of my neck. I could feel a headache coming on. Heaving myself to my feet, I headed back to my bedroom. Too tired to take a shower, I just brushed my teeth, changed into a t-shirt to sleep in, and fell into bed.
    A pounding at the door woke me. Glancing at the clock on my bedside table, I saw it was after ten in the morning. Grabbing a pair of knit shorts, I pulled them on and hurried to the door. I looked through the peephole and saw a man standing there with a clipboard. He had on a pair of navy overalls with his name stitched on them. "Larry," it proclaimed in red letters. I opened the door.
    Larry's eyes widened when he saw me. I self-consciously smoothed my rat's nest hair. "Yes?" I asked.
    "Are you," he checked his clipboard, "Kathleen Turner?" He looked back up at me dubiously. I cleared my throat and gave up on my hair.
    "Yes, I am," I confirmed.
    "Well, your car is done," he said, shoving the clipboard at me. "It's down in the lot. I locked it for you."
    I took the clipboard and tried to look beyond him at the lot. "What was wrong with it?" I asked, scrawling my name on the sheet.
    "Needed a new battery," he said, taking the clipboard from me and handing me my keys which Blane had taken the night before.
    "How much do I owe you?"
    He shook his head. "Already been taken care of," he said. "Have a nice day."
    He left and I closed the door. Well. I guess Blane had been as good as his word. He had taken care of it. I breathed a sigh of relief. Most women probably would rather have flowers or jewelry – I was grateful to have a new battery for my car.
    Since it was Saturday, I didn't have to work until this evening when I had to go in for my shift at The Drop. It was a nice bar, not a dive, so wasn't a bad place to work and I enjoyed it. The customers were usually middle to upper class professionals so the tips were good. I made a pot of coffee and showered while it brewed.
    Leaving my hair to air dry, I grabbed two cups of coffee and went next door to Sheila's. I kicked at the door since my hands were full. She was probably asleep after a late night working. I kicked again and waited. Finally, I heard the locks turning and Sheila called through the door.
    "That had better be you, Kathleen, and you'd better have coffee." The door opened and I grinned at her, holding out a steaming cup. She'd wrapped herself in a short, silky robe with large red and black flowers printed on it. She took the coffee and backed up, letting me