RunningScaredBN by Christy Reece Read Free Book Online Page B

one had noticed other than the brooding man frowning down at her.
    “We will talk soon, Ingram. This can’t go on.”
    There were a lot of ways she could respond to that autocratic statement. Another time, she might have told him exactly what he could do with his arrogance. She opened her mouth to do just that and then saw the concern in his eyes. Justin played things cool most times but not on this. Not tonight. This man cared for her, and though nothing could ever happen between them, he deserved the truth.  
    “You’re right. We will.” She backed away again, saying softly, “I just hope we can handle it.”
    Turning, she ran out the door and into the night.
    ***
    Aidan Thorne tugged at his bow tie. Damn thing was choking him to death. He’d much rather be fighting a three-hundred-fifty-pound bruiser with a knife than stand here in a monkey suit with a fake smile plastered on his face.  
    “Hi, Aidan, how are you?”
    Recognizing the soft, female voice, Aidan flinched as his entire body tensed up. The one woman he’d been determined to avoid. Hell .
    Polite mask frozen in place, he turned and gave a cool nod. “Anna, you’re looking well.”
    Aidan groaned beneath his breath at his lame-assed words. You’re looking well was what you told someone’s elderly aunt. Not a beautiful, vibrant woman that made your mouth water and your skin feel like it was on fire. He told himself he should just be grateful for his ability to maintain a nonchalant air when his heart was thundering like a stampede of elephants. Anna Bradford looked nothing like the abused young woman LCR had rescued years ago. She had matured from an idealistic young college student who wanted to save the world to a lovely young woman. She was still too idealistic, though. And she was still trying to save the world.
    Skin the color of light honey-gold, shoulder-length hair a mélange of soft brown and dark gold, dark brown eyes that gleamed with purity and hope, a light sprinkling of freckles across her small nose, and the sweetest, lushest mouth he’d ever seen. Anna personified every single quality that he’d sworn to stay away from.
    “It was a beautiful wedding, wasn’t it?”
    He was in a dilemma. If he nodded curtly and walked away, he’d hurt her feelings. If he stayed, he greatly feared he’d give in to temptation, lean down, and see if the frosted-pink lipstick on her mouth was as tasty as it looked.  
    “Hey, babe, let’s dance.”
    Even though he was saved from having to make a decision, Aidan glared down at the guy now standing beside Anna. He didn’t recognize the creep, with his chiseled jaw, perfect hair, and I’m-too-cool-for-school demeanor, but he sure as hell didn’t like the familiar way he’d grabbed for Anna’s elbow.
      Before Aidan could make his displeasure known, Anna gracefully twisted away from the guy, and with a diplomacy that would make the State Department proud, she laughed softly and said, “Stuart, there’s no way I’m depriving all the girls lined up to dance with you.” She tilted her head to the left. Sure enough, there were about five young women standing a few feet away who apparently had eyes only for this guy.
    “They’ll wait. I want to dance with you.”  
    Though her smile lost a little of its shine, she didn’t do what Aidan hoped she’d do and tell the jerk to go jump off a cliff. He was about to intervene and give a vulgar suggestion of his own when Riley appeared beside them.
    “Anna, can I talk to you a minute?”  
    “Sure thing.” She gave the Stuart guy a nod. “Go make those women happy.”
    “Yeah, whatever.” Stuart headed toward his small adoring crowd.
    “Who the hell was that guy?” Aidan asked.
    “One of the top male models in New York.”
    Wasn’t any of his business, but he had to know. “Why didn’t you dance with him?”
    Her burst of laughter was like a breath of fresh air, free and uninhibited. “Dance with someone prettier than me? Not a