The Masked Lovebird by Liz Stafford Read Free Book Online Page B

arranged her hair just so, maybe she could hurry past and nobody would notice.
    Fiona eased open the ladies room door and shuffled into the hallway. Didn’t seem like anyone was around. The party was in full swing to the right. To the left, a sign at the end of the hallway shouted EXIT in big red letters. With her luck she’d end up near the dumpsters out back, but it was a chance she was willing to take. She shifted the chain to the tiny purse higher on her arm and moved toward the door. Fiona wondered briefly if an alarm would go off when she pushed it open, but heck, she’d be gone quick enough, nobody would know she was the culprit.
    She put a hand on the bar that opened the door and sucked in a breath of courage. Somebody entered the other end of the hallway. Any moment they would ask where the hell she thought she was going, so Fiona shoved open the door and hurried outside.
    And bumped into something solid, earthy scented and…male. THE male.
    Fiona spun around, intending to race back inside, but the door had an automatic lock. It was shut tight. Didn’t really matter, he had hold of her arm and was turning her around.
    Okay, it was dark here, and her hair had fallen over her forehead. Fiona threw caution to the wind, jerked her arm free, clasped his cheeks with both hands and pulled him down for a kiss. Lips met. Touched. Melded into each other. His arms came up. Any moment he’d send her sprawling on the filthy alley ground so she planned to make this a good one.
    His hands gripped her upper arms. Fiona prepared herself to be thrust backwards.
    Her tongue poked between her lips.
    His hands squeezed and his fingers made little dents.
    Her tongue pushed into his mouth. Shivers darted down her spine.
    His hands let go, then reached around her and palmed her back.
    She leaned into him and felt the breeze blow the cape around her like a cocoon. Her breasts flattened against his chest. Her nipples grew like seedlings in the spring sunshine. Pulsations of desire belted her in the abdomen. Moisture dampened her panties.
    Okay, this was wrong on so many levels.
    Then why didn’t she pull back? Run away…
     

Chapter Three
     
    Devon was baffled. This woman was a contrast of emotions. Cold and then hot. No, scratch that, she was frigid and then boiling. Arctic and Death Valley. He should dump and run. Her tongue pushed inside his mouth—sent tremors to his groin. Should dump and run. Operative word should because the next thing she’d probably be biting his tongue off. Hadn’t a boxer done that recently? No, dumb ass, he bit off an ear.
    Cinderella ended the kiss. At least she’d backed away. So, why could he still feel her lips on his? She smiled. Goosebumps shot from where her hands touched his cheeks to every pore and cell in his body.
    “I am Cinderella.”
    “Tell me something I don’t know.”
    “I live here in LA.”
    “Good start.”
    “I am single. I have two sisters and two parents.”
    “Keep going.”
    She didn’t flinch. “I enjoy painting landscapes, hiking and er…bowling.”
    “Apartment or house.”
    “Apartment.”
    Me too. “Car?”
    “None. I take a taxi most everywhere.”
    Same here. “Pets?”
    “Two pairs of lovebirds.”
    Devon’s interest skyrocketed. “What kind?”
    “Fischer’s.”
    Awesome. “I have six masked lovebirds. I had a clutch of four born yesterday.”
    “Mine are still young, but I plan to breed them.”
    Devon crashed headlong…into love. “Real name?”
    “Your turn.”
    “Well, Ms. Turn, why don’t we find ourselves a place to sit.”
    They strolled around the building to where a dozen or so people still frolicked in the pool. He followed her to a shadowy table. She sat. He didn’t. “I’ll get us drinks. What do you like?”
    “Something sweet, please.” She giggled. “With an umbrella, if they have any.”
    “Your wish is my command, dear lady.” With a flourish of his cape, Devon headed inside. He placed the drink orders, then went to