The Hamilton Heir by Valerie Hansen Read Free Book Online

don’t let you walk me up, aren’t you?” she asked.
    “Sure am. I can hold out as long as you can.”
    “Probably longer,” she muttered, pouting. “Okay. You can escort me to my door if it’ll make you happy. But that’s as far as you go. You’re not coming in.”
    “Of course not.” Tim fell into step behind her. “You didn’t think I was hitting on you, did you?”
    The thought had occurred to Dawn, especially after his compliment about her hair, but she kept herwild imaginings to herself. Of course Tim Hamilton wasn’t hitting on her. It was ridiculous to think he might be interested in her when he had so many high-society glamour queens to choose from. As his administrative assistant, there wasn’t a day went by that she didn’t have to field at least one or two calls from women like that. It didn’t matter that Tim rarely followed up on their invitations. They were still standing in line and waiting to go out with him whenever he was ready. That was all that counted.
    The few minutes it took them to climb three flights of stairs to her apartment wasn’t long enough for Dawn to quiet her nerves or settle her mind. She still had butterflies in her stomach when she reached her door, turned to face Tim and held out her hand. “Good night.”
    Belatedly, she realized what a mistake that normally inconsequential gesture was. Tim grasped her hand but instead of shaking it the way he would have if she’d been a man, he cradled her fingers gently and looked directly into her eyes. Dawn couldn’t move, could hardly force herself to continue breathing.
    “I want you to know how much I value the opportunity I had to make the rounds with you tonight,” he said quietly, sincerely. “You gave me a new appreciation of the hard work so many volunteers do. I honestly had no idea.”
    She strained to pull her hand away and he reluctantly let go. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for giving all that extra food from Betty’s to the lastfamily. I’m sure the Martins are grateful. They need all the help they can get, especially until Jordan’s able to go back to work again.”
    “Glad to do it.” Tim smiled. “You warned me I’d better not throw anything away and it seemed a logical alternative. I’m glad I was there to help you carry that heavy case of baby formula up those stairs for them. Do you usually lug it all that way yourself?”
    “Sure. When I need to.”
    Tim stepped back and thrust his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “Well, you must be tired, so…”
    “Exhausted,” Dawn said. “Thanks for the ride.”
    He took another step away. “You’re welcome.”
    Turning, she fumbled to get the key into the lock, finally succeeded, and started to duck into her apartment. Just as she did, something very substantial pushed past her legs without a sound.
    All she had time to shout was, “Beau, no!” before the mastiff leaped and pinned Tim against the wall of the dimly lit hallway.
    Dawn grabbed the dog’s collar and tugged, yelling, “Beau! Down.” He yielded easily.
    To Tim she said, “Are you okay?”
    “I think so.” He was wiping his face and seemed short of breath.
    “I’m so sorry. Beau’s usually very good about staying inside. I didn’t think he’d burst out like that. He must have heard my voice and…” And sensed how nervous I am, she finished silently.
    The astonished expression lingering on Tim’sface made her grin in spite of the embarrassing situation. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
    “I think so. Boy, does he have bad breath!” Tim stared at the now-lethargic-looking animal seated at her feet and panting as if it had just chased down and captured a man-eating lion. “What is he?”
    “A dog.”
    “I’d already figured out that part. What I mean is, what are you doing with an animal the size of an elephant in your little apartment? Does your landlord know?”
    “Yes. I’m allowed to have one pet as long as the other neighbors aren’t bothered by