The Presence by Heather Graham Read Free Book Online

dashed.
    â€œMy suitcases,” she said, pointing to the side of the bed.
    He set the paper aside and rose suddenly. She prayed the towel wouldn’t slip.
    â€œWould you like me to help you gather your things?” he asked politely.
    There was something about the man that irritated her to such an extent that she couldn’t keep her mouth closed—or prevent herself from behaving with sheer stupidity.
    â€œNo. I’d be happy to help you relocate, though.”
    â€œYou really do have…what it is the Americans say? Balls,” he told her.
    She flushed.
    â€œI’m not relocating,” he said flatly.
    â€œUnless you have the deed to this place right here and now,” she said sweetly, “neither am I.”
    He stared at her a long moment, and she found herself flushing.
    â€œDo you think I keep my important papers under a mattress or something?” he queried. “My documents are in a bank vault.” He shrugged, then took his seat before the fire once again, retrieving his paper. “If you’re staying in here, do your best to keep quiet, will you? I have a hell of a headache coming on.”
    â€œYou are the headache!” she murmured beneath her breath.
    He had heard her. Once again, his eyes met hers. “I believe that you’re supposed to be sucking up to me, Miss Fraser. I am trying to be patient and understanding. I’ve even offered a helping hand.”
    â€œSorry,” she said swiftly, though she couldn’t help adding a soft, “I think!”
    But she had lost and she knew it. Now she just had to accept it. She entered the room, slamming the door behind her. After gathering up what she could hold of her toiletries, she headed back to the hall.
    â€œNext door down is the bride’s chamber for this room. It’s very nice,” he told her absently, studying his paper again.
    â€œI’ve seen it. I got down on my hands and knees and scrubbed in there—just as I did in here.”
    â€œYes, very nice, actually,” he told her. “Good job. As I said before, I can help you move your things.”
    â€œWouldn’t want you to have to get dressed,” she said.
    â€œI don’t have to get dressed, actually. Just go through the bathroom.”
    â€œThese two rooms share that bath?” she murmured.She felt like an idiot. She knew that. She’d also cleaned the bathroom!
    â€œThis is a castle, with some modernization—not the Hilton,” he said. “Most of the rooms share a bath. Since you’ve been living here, surely you know that.”
    She only knew at that moment that she wished she had chosen a room on the other side of the U.
    He rose and grabbed one of her suitcases. “Through here,” he said, walking down the little hallway to the bath, and through it.
    The next room was one of the nicer ones, not as large as the one she had vacated, but there was a fireplace, naturally— it was a castle, not the Hilton —and a wonderful curving draped window. “Widow’s walk out there,” he pointed out. “You’ll love it, I’m sure.”
    â€œNaturally, I’ve seen it,” she snapped.
    â€œRight. You cleaned that, too.”
    â€œYes, we did.”
    â€œLovely.”
    He deposited her suitcase on the floor.
    It was fine, it was lovely. But… it attached to his room. How did she know that the man wasn’t… weird? What if, in the middle of the night, he came through the connecting doorway? No, there were other vacant rooms. She should choose one of them.
    He must have read her mind, for a small smile of grim amusement—and a touch of disdain—suddenly played upon his features. “Rest assured, you can lock your side of the bathroom door.”
    â€œI should hope so,” she murmured.
    â€œReally? Seems I’m the one who should be concerned about locking doors. Have no fear, Miss Fraser. There’sreally not a