Seducing Phoebe (Crimson Romance) by Nicole Flockton Read Free Book Online

do.
    She was surprised at his comment though. There were times when they hadn’t seen each other for more than two days, usually when she had had a night shift rotation, though admittedly they had shared texts or phone calls. For him to say those words to her now melted her heart just a little bit. There was no way she was going to let him know she was glad to see him, though.
    Phoebe went into defensive mode. She hadn’t come to any decisions about her future. She didn’t need him trying to influence her.
    “I’m not sure I can say the same.” She took a step back. She couldn’t think with him standing so close to her. “But you’ve seen me now, and I’m not curled up in a corner rocking back and forth, so I guess that means you can leave.”
    “No, I don’t think so. Now that I’m here I think I’ll stay for a while.”
    The early thrill she’d received when he’d said he was glad to see her, left in a hurry with the autocratic way he informed her he was going to stay. It took everything in her power not to scream in frustration. She’d come to this little piece of paradise by the beach to think. To work out what she wanted. The man standing in front of her was the biggest thing she had to think about. The fact that she had been avoiding thinking about things the last couple of days was beside the point. Having him here was going to play havoc with her emotions. Emotions she couldn’t trust. She was acting out of character, going from one emotional extreme to the other. She needed to get her head on straight. For so long she’d led with her heart, and now she needed to lead with her head. It was the only way to protect herself and get what she wanted.
    “Well I don’t want you here, Marco. Why can’t you accept that?”
    “I believe I told you the night we last saw each other that this wasn’t over.” He waved a hand between the two of them indicating he meant them as a couple. He didn’t have to do that. She knew exactly what he was talking about.
    Phoebe clenched her fists in frustration. “So what did you do, Marco? Did you have me followed? Have you been watching me the whole time I’ve been here?”
    She didn’t like to think that he could’ve had her followed. It didn’t seem to fit the person she knew him to be.
    “Why don’t you take a shower, and then we can talk about things.”
    She was about to object. She didn’t feel comfortable showering knowing he was loitering around the house. Not after the worrying thoughts of him possibly having her watched or followed still fresh in her mind. It was stupid to think those thoughts. In all the time they’d been together he’d shown no signs of having stalker tendencies. Once again she was letting her emotions careen out of control, like a car on slick roads.
    Marco held up his hand. “No, don’t argue. You’re freezing and your lips are turning a fetching shade of purple. Plus I don’t want you to get sick. Please go get warm.”
    He once again moved closer to her and Phoebe held her breath, waiting to see if he would take her in his arms. A secret part of her craved for him to hold her again. As if sensing her inner war, he touched her cheek once again.
    He then moved his hand and smoothed a thumb across her forehead, attempting to erase the worry lines away she was sure were showing. “I know what you’re thinking, and I’m not sure where it’s coming from. But let me allay your fears — I didn’t have you followed. I’m not that sort of man.” He dropped his arm and took a step back, giving her space to move. “I’ll tell you how I found you after you’ve got warm again.”
    Trying to form words was impossible, as her teeth had started chattering. The temperature had dropped. The wind had picked up and the sun had gone behind a cloud; it was as if nature knew the situation between her and Marco was serious.
    “Fine, but I’m only agreeing because I’m cold, not because I want you here.” She brushed past him,