RunningScaredBN by Christy Reece Read Free Book Online Page A

fact that they’d been partners for over three years and he hadn’t known before about her need to stay hidden infuriated him. The anger was directed at himself, not her. Why hadn’t he known this? Why had he allowed all these secrets between them? They were more than partners. They were friends. And hell, whether she was ready to admit it or not, they were more than friends.
    It was way past time to find out the truth about Riley Ingram.
    Before he could come up with a plan on how to make that happen, she came through the doors from the auditorium into the foyer. He watched in silence as she practically hugged the walls, staying in the shadows. He knew the moment she caught him looking at her. An awareness clicked in her eyes.
    Weaving in between the hordes of guests headed toward the exit, he caught up with her. “Nice wedding, wasn’t it?”  
    “Yes, it was.”
    “Are you going to the reception?”
    “For a little while. I’m not much for parties.”
    “Yeah, me either.” He gave her a look she couldn’t misunderstand. “We need to talk. Want to meet me somewhere for a late dinner?”
    “No.”
    If there was one thing he liked about Riley Ingram, she didn’t prevaricate. If you asked her a question, she would either tell you the truth, tell you it was none of your business, or just not answer.  
    Deciding to go for broke, he said, “All right. Then you want to tell me who you’re hiding from?”
    Riley looked up at the man who’d come to mean so much to her. The black tuxedo fit his tall, muscular frame perfectly. He’d had a haircut since she’d seen him. His thick brownish-blond hair had just enough curl in it to make a girl think about twining her fingers through it. She had seen numerous women give him long, admiring looks. The two women in front of her during the wedding had whispered about how handsome the best man was, giggling about how much they’d like to meet him.  
    Justin Kelly was a handsome, ultra-masculine man whom most any woman would sigh over. Riley should know. She had done her share of sighing, especially in the last few months.
    And now he wanted to know who she was hiding from. Just for a moment, Riley allowed a fantasy to take flight. In her imagination, she heard herself give him honest answers and explain what had happened to her. She watched his face darken with concern for her. There was no judgment, no condemnation. No disgust. Instead, she saw understanding, maybe compassion, but not pity. Never pity.
    Then she returned to the real world and faced the truth. Speak the words she hadn’t allowed herself to say in years? Tell him the truth in the middle of a crowd of mostly strangers? No. Way. In. Hell.
    If she proceeded with her plan, he would know soon enough. Once he knew everything, would the admiration she’d often seen in his eyes be replaced with revulsion?
    She could withstand a lot, but that was something she would not survive.
    She gave him a smile that probably looked as fake as it felt, but it would have to do. “That’s a discussion for another day.”
    “I see.”
    Now even more nervous as those slate-gray eyes seemed to penetrate straight through her bravado, she tugged her purse strap over her shoulder. “So. Guess I’ll see you at the reception. Or, if not, on our next call.”
    Giving him no time to respond, she backed into the shadows, followed a group of people to an exit, and ran out the door. She told herself she wasn’t being a coward. That it was ludicrous to have a discussion of such import with so many people milling around.  
    A hand grabbed her arm. She was so intent on escape that she snarled a curse as she turned around, her fist raised and ready to strike.
    Justin let go of her arm and held up his hands in surrender. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.”
    Mortified, she glanced around to see if anyone else had caught the unusual break in her cool façade. Fortunately, all the other guests were intent on enjoying themselves. No