The Rent-A-Groom by Jennifer Blake Read Free Book Online Page B

just went to show how fast he was losing it.
     
    “Whatever the reason may have been,” she said through her teeth, “it’s over. You’re supposed to be out of here.”
     
    She had him there. Because he knew it, he answered with great reasonableness. “But since you didn’t throw me out when I first showed up, and since the idiot over there saw me and now thinks we’re a couple, don’t you agree it makes sense for him to believe I’m staying?”
     
    “What he believes and what is going to happen are two entirely different things. You are going out that door in about two seconds flat, and that’s final.” She moved away a few wary steps, pausing in the doorway that led from the foyer to the sitting area.
     
    “What if Dillman checks up on you?”
     
    “Why would he?” she countered in sharp distrust.
     
    “How should I know; he’s your old boyfriend. All I can tell you is that he seemed mighty worried just now. Maybe he’s a weirdo. Maybe he still has the hots for you. Or maybe he didn’t find our little performance all that convincing.”
     
     “I can’t imagine why he wouldn’t after all your disgusting innuendos.”
     
    “Is that right? What about yours? Not to mention you wrapping yourself around me like a—” He stopped, took a quick breath.
     
    “Like what?” she demanded in annoyance.
     
    “Forget it.” He unfolded his arms and shoved his fists deep into his pants pockets.
     
    “I want to know what you were going to say!”
     
    “No, you don’t.”
     
    She only stared at him with set features while she waited.
     
    He compressed his lips then gave up. “All right, like a pea vine around a bean pole, as my churchgoing grandmother used to put it. The description didn’t seem like such a good one to come out with just now.”
     
    “Why not?” She tilted her head in frowning puzzlement.
     
    Exasperation allied to a kind of embarrassment he hadn’t felt since he was in high school made him reckless. “If I have to tell you, then you must need a lesson in basic male-female anatomy.”
     
    She stared at him, blinked. “Oh.”
     
    He removed a hand from his pants pocket and pushed his fingers through his hair. “Yes, well, never mind. All I meant to do is help out here. There’s no reason why I should have to invade your privacy or your bed to do the job, and I never intended either one. We can drink champagne to all hours if you want, maybe dance, play a few hands of cards. Or you can shut yourself up in the bedroom and I’ll bed down on the loveseat in the sitting room. Whatever. Dillman gets the impression that you’re occupied in the appropriate manner. You make your point in spades, which is—correct me if I’m wrong—that you’re through with him.”
     
    “No, you’re not wrong,” she said slowly, then stood staring at the floor while she chewed the inside corner of her bottom lip. At last she spoke again. “I don’t understand why you’re doing this. I mean, what’s it to you?”
     
    The truth was sometimes the best weapon, he thought. “I was sent to do a job, and I like to finish what I start. Besides, I don’t much like the man you intended to marry.”
     
    She shook her head, swinging away from him to move into the sitting room. He really thought he was sunk. Then she made a small, winded sound, as if she’d taken a hit to the stomach.
     
    He was beside her in two swift strides. She seemed okay, though her gaze was fixed on the far wall with its tall French windows. He followed it with his own.
     
    The drapes had been left open for the view of the lights of Dallas, which stretched toward the horizon like a gray blanket sewn with gold and green stars. Beyond the glass panes of the double doors could be seen a portion of the balcony that wrapped around the fourth level to connect the three tower suites. Bradley Dillman was standing out there, looking in. As he saw them staring in his directions, he gave a nonchalant wave and strolled from