The Heartbreaker by Vicki Lewis Thompson Read Free Book Online Page A

“It’s what I thought I wanted. But when I heard from Dad’s doctor, when I really understood how close he came to dying, everything shifted. My whole perspective changed.”
    She continued to knead his shoulders. “Hey, don’t go off the deep end. You always wanted a life of adventure. I hope you’re not letting this throw you so much that you’re considering a career as a machinist in Bisbee. That just wouldn’t be you.”
    â€œI’m not so sure about that”
    She felt a moment of panic. Mike was the keeper of the flame. As long as he sought adventure, then she could dream of one day doing the same. But if he gave up, what chance did she have? “This is an emotional time for you. Believe me, I know how it feels. You want to crawl into the nearest cave and surround yourself with all the things that make you feel safe. But eventually you start to heal, and safety isn’t as important anymore. Don’t tie yourself down to something that will become a straitjacket later, Mike.”
    â€œYou’re making a lot of sense. But then, you always did.”
    She decided a distraction might be just what he needed right now. She gave him a final squeeze and released her hold. “Ready to discuss the cutter design?”
    â€œSure.” He stood and came over to the demonstration light table Ernie had set up. “I figured out this must be it.”
    â€œYour dad thought we should have a cutter set up and operational, so either one of us could demonstrate it.”
    â€œSo demonstrate.”
    â€œBetter than that, I’ll let you use it. It’ll probably help while you’re working on the cutters, if you know exactly what they’re supposed to do.” She glanced around the tidy shop. “I think he kept some glass somewhere.”
    â€œYeah, I saw it. Just a minute.” Mike walked over to a cabinet and came back with a notebook-size piece of cobalt glass. “Will this do?”
    â€œPerfect. We’ll need some sort of pattern.” She grabbed a sheet of paper and a pen and drew a heart. Instantly she regretted her choice of shapes, but Mike had already come up beside her, and making a big deal about the design would be worse than just using it. She positioned the heart outline on the light table, switched on the lamp underneath and put the blue glass over the drawing. Then she adjusted the jointed metal arm clamped to the table so the cutting wheel was over the glass.
    â€œGo ahead and try it.” She stepped back and motioned him toward the table. “You’re going to be amazed at how easy a two-handed wheel makes the, whole process.”
    â€œOkay, what do I do?”
    â€œGrip the handles like this.” After months of demonstrating the cutter, she automatically reached around him and covered his hands with hers. Belatedly she realized how cozy the position was, and how unsettling. “Now position the wheel where you want to start your cut,” she continued, “and apply pressure as you guide it around the lines.”
    â€œHow much pressure?”
    She tried to keep her breasts from brushing his back but it was nearly impossible. She forced herself to concentrate on the cutter and pretend she was demonstrating it for a stranger—better yet, an elderly lady with false teeth and arch supports. “Listen for a scratching sound. That means you’re scoring the glass. You’ve done this before. You’ll know when it’s working.” His hands beneath hers weren’t the hands of an elderly lady. Instead she felt strong tendons and the sensuous tickle of hair against her palms. The tangy scent of his aftershave filled her with images of snuggling against him and lifting her mouth for his kiss. This had been a very bad idea.
    She gritted her teeth and watched the wheel bite into the cobalt glass. “That’s it. Now, steer around the curve. Good. I’m letting go, now.” She