Out of Circulation (Hemlock Creek Suspense Book 1) by Heather Day Gilbert Read Free Book Online Page A

this clunker that doubled as a wind tunnel.
    Yet Katie merely hummed along, oblivious to the wind...and to how completely she had mesmerized him. He couldn't tear his eyes from that soft freckled skin, those plush lips, and that wild hair.
    He had to get it together. He had to finish this job.
    She slowed as she pulled into the library parking lot. "My space is taken," she said, turning the wheel and crawling up the rows. "Good grief—all the spaces are taken. I hope there wasn't some event going on that I forgot about."
    He pointed to an open area behind the dumpster. "Reba probably wouldn't mind if you parked there, would she?"
    Only after she had maneuvered into the tight space did he realize her car would be out of eyesight from the library window. It probably wouldn't be a problem, but he'd be sure to leave early after work and sweep the area.
    "Thanks for the help." She grabbed her bag and shot him a warm smile. "Time to go impress some kiddos with your big guns." She winked.
    A nearly chemical surge caught him off-guard. In so many words, Katie McClure just let him know she found him attractive. A lesser man would prey on that vulnerability to get what he wanted. And today, Ace was that lesser man.
     
    ****
     
    Children begged for another story as Katie finished reading the final chapter of My Father's Dragon aloud. She pointed them to the next book in the series, in sore need of a stretch and a snack.
    "Thank you so much." One lingering mother patted her back before hustling her children to their next summer activity. Katie returned to her chair, noticing Ace wasn't positioned in his usual spot. Maybe he had taken a snack break himself.
    She imagined what it would be like without her loyal bodyguard around. Presumably, as soon as the cops caught up with those thugs, Ace would high-tail it back to New York City. He had given her note to the police in hopes they could analyze the handwriting and trace the phone to track down Anatoly's henchmen.
    Grabbing her purse, she headed to the bathroom to re-twist her hair and apply lip gloss. She should have done that upon arrival at the library, but the kids had nearly attacked her, begging her to start reading early. It did feel nice to be loved.
    Leaning in toward the mirror, she tried to observe her reflection dispassionately. Clear green eyes, now easily visible because she'd pinned back her bangs. A brand-new flush to her usually pale cheeks. An upward tilt to her lips and only a slight crease in her forehead, which told her that even though she was stressing over that death-threat note, something was keeping her afloat.
    That something was Ace. She wanted to kick herself. It needed to be God, not some dude. But what a dude he was. She couldn't wait to get home and change, pick up the Sig, and hit the range. Ace could probably share all kinds of shooting tips with her.
    She moved to dodge a woman entering the bathroom, then froze as a boom louder than thunder ripped through the air.
    This time she wasn't the one who gave the warning. "Hit the floor!" Ace's deep shout bounced over rows of books as he jogged toward her. She let the bathroom door close fully, but wasn't able to take a step before Ace tackled her, pinning her to the ground.
    "Shh. Wait."
    "What was that?" She tried to slow her breathing, even though she felt like she was hyperventilating.
    "I said shh ." He released his grip on her wrists, so tight it would probably leave bruises. "Stay put. Sounded like an explosion."
    "An explosion ? I have to check on the children! And Reba! And—"
    "You'll do no such thing. I am phoning the police. You aren't going to move until I figure out what's going on." He pulled her to a sitting position. His eyes were dark with concern. "Will you stay here until I come back?"
    "You can't leave me! You're my bodyguard!" She probably sounded like a whining child.
    He pushed her hair aside and leaned in toward her ear. The proximity of his breath, his masculine smell, and his deep,