Nobody's Fool by Sarah Hegger Read Free Book Online

pride of place and hovered over the mere humans who scuttled beneath its beneficent rays.
    The lobby was air-conditioned, and between the cool air and the cooler soda, her brain had kicked into gear. She would call Grace and get her to book a hotel with her credit card. Perhaps she could even track down an all-night car rental. Holly pulled a face. Did you get all-night car rentals in Chicago? She shook her head. She couldn’t afford to think negatively.
    In the morning, Holly could tackle the bank and call the embassy and see about getting a new passport. This was the United States, for God’s sake, and anything was possible. Her glass formed a ring of condensation on the marble and she used her thigh to wipe it clean.
    The elevator door swished open with the well-maintained mechanism of expensive condo rates.
    Josh stepped out, a gym bag slung over one shoulder. He’d changed into a T-shirt and a pair of jeans. It didn’t make him look one iota less gorgeous. Wherever he was going, he probably wouldn’t get kicked out of bed tonight.
    She tried to push the sodden tangle of her hair into something approaching civilized.
    â€œThank you, Philip.” He turned to the doorman and indicated her with a jerk of his head.
    â€œNo problem, Mr. Hunter. I gave her a pop.”
    â€œGood work.”
    Holly glared down at the offending empty glass. It was no use, though. She still didn’t feel sorry she’d drunk it.
    A set of keys dangled from Josh’s index finger as he strode toward her. It wasn’t right a man could walk like that. An easy, feline lope that made her want to slap a pair of six-shooters around his lean hips. He stopped in front of where she sat and glanced down his perfect nose at her.
    Holly braced for whatever wisecrack he had brewing in his pretty head.
    â€œWe don’t like each other much, but I’m going to help you.”
    â€œSay again?”
    â€œYou need help and I’ve decided to help you.” He nodded. “Chalk it up to some latent feeling of childhood sentimentality.”
    Oh, man, wasn’t he a laugh a minute. “Good one, pretty boy.”
    â€œI mean it.” He shifted the gym bag. “I’m going to help you find your sister.”
    She half-believed he might be serious. She wanted to stand so he wouldn’t be looming over her, but she also didn’t want him to know she was feeling intimidated. In the end, she settled for leaning back on her arms, dropping her head to the side, and staring up at an angle. It wasn’t the most comfortable position for her neck, but it did have a sort of Rebel Without a Cause air to it.
    â€œIs your neck stiff or something?”
    â€œNo.” Her cheeks burned.
    â€œAnyway, as I see it, you’re in need of help and I’m going to give it to you.”
    â€œAre you serious?”
    â€œQuite.”
    â€œGet real.” Like she would believe that?
    He raised one eyebrow. “Right back at you, babe. You have no transport, no money, no passport, ergo no way to get home, and nothing but the clothes you’re wearing.”
    â€œI have my phone.”
    Up went his eyebrow again. “How comforting.”
    â€œDon’t call me babe either.” God, he was a cocksure son of a bitch.
    â€œNote to self.” His jaw tightened. “Don’t call me pretty boy.”
    No way in hell she was agreeing to that. Holly stood up. It didn’t help. He still lurked a good head above her. “I didn’t ask you for help. I don’t even want your help.”
    They locked eyes.
    â€œThat’s true,” he said. “But you’re getting it anyway.”
    â€œBack off, pretty boy.”
    His eyes narrowed at her and his nostrils flared.
    It was a bit thrilling, in truth. Holly stood her ground, prickles of sensation coursing up and down her spine.
    â€œDon’t you need to find your sister?” His voice grew silky smooth, but she