Tethered (A BirthRight Novel) by Brandi Leigh Hall Read Free Book Online

just got in early yesterday morning.”
    “Oh. So you must be in town for your pap then?” His smile fades.
    “Well, not exactly. I mean, yes, it’s what brought me here this week…but I decided to move back permanently.” I fidget with my purse strap, suddenly unsure of what to do with my hands.
    As fast as the cheerfulness faded from his face, it returns. “Then I guess what I should be saying is, ‘welcome back’.”
    “Thank you.” Excitement swims through my body. Why does his reaction have so much of an effect on me? I’ve been around good-looking guys before, but I’ve never reacted this way. Yes, he’s gorgeous, but looks aren’t everything. I’ve never been the shallow type to get caught up in the superficial.
    “ You decided? Isn’t your family moving with you?”
    “Um. Well most of them are already here.”
    “Really? You must have cool parents to let you live across the country for so long.”
    I hang my head for a second. “It wasn’t like that.” Crap, here goes. “They ah...they were killed in a car wreck, so I’ve been living with my aunt in California. My brother and sister stayed here with my grandparents.”
    His face turns the shade of a Hot Tamale. “Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to assume...or to pry.” He shoves his hands in the front pockets of his jeans as his eyes dart nervously around the room.
    Crap, I didn’t mean to embarrass him.
    “It’s okay.” I look down, shifting my feet from side to side. “Classes at San Diego State were over anyway, so moving back makes sense with my pap and everything.”
    An awkward silence fills the space between us, but is short-lived by a loud voice booming over the hospital intercom. I jump.
    As if remembering something he’d forgotten, he checks his watch. “I really hate to cut this short, but I should probably get to work before my boss sends out a search party. It would appear someone made me lose track of the time.” He shoots me a wry smile, blinding me with his impeccably perfect, white teeth.
    With heat rushing back to my cheeks, I lower my head. He grabs my hand again, lifting it to his mouth and taking me off guard.
    The instant his silky lips touch the top of my hand, he brands my flesh. Our eyes lock. A fever and the chills overcome me at the same time. I can’t move. A blanket of horripilation covers my entire body. Not a good day for short sleeves. Oh god, please don’t let him notice the game of peek-a-boo my skin insists on playing.
    He releases my hand, but his eyes remain fixed on mine. “Something tells me the next time we see each other, neithe r one of us will have difficulty remembering this moment.”
    Unable to speak, a faint smile curls up the corners of my mouth, prolonging the color I feel inching its way across my cheeks.
    “It truly was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Chloe.” As he turns to leave, he looks down at my arms. “Perhaps you should bring a sweater next time?” A faint chuckle escapes from under his breath, adding to my implacable humiliation.
    My mouth opens, but no words come out.
    Nothing.
    Isn’t that just perfect!

 
Chapter 3
Driving Miss Crazy
     
     
     
    What’s wrong with me?
    In the blink of an eye, Hunter walks to the elevator. Gone before I can regain enough composure to utter a simple “goodbye”. 
    “I’m such an idiot!” bursts from my mouth. Sure. Now I can speak just fine. Of course!
    He must think I’m such a moron. If not, he must at least think I’m a silly little girl who can’t speak coherently.
    I look up. “Shoot me now, please!”              
    If I’m ever lucky enough to see him again, or rather, if he isn’t so turned-off by my childish behavior to speak to me again—I swear I’ll be in control of myself.
    “Chloe. Are you planning to join us anytime in the near future?” The sound of my sister’s irritated voice startles me.
    “I’ll be right there,” I snap. Then I take a deep breath in an attempt to regain the