The Secret Life of Bryan by Lori Foster Read Free Book Online Page B

soft, eating him up. Her hand slid up his wrist to his biceps. “Good.”
    Again, Bryan leaned out of her reach. “Damn it, stop that.” Pointing a finger at her, he growled, “You need to understand a few things, lady.”
    She held her hands up in the air. “I’ll behave. No reason to panic.”
    A cynical smile curved his mouth. “Women don’t panic me, even pushy women like yourself. But I’ve got some questions for you, and we need to get started on them.”
    “Sure. I’ll fix us something to eat while you grill me.”
    He watched her rise from her seat, then became engrossed with the way her behind moved as she roamed the kitchen, opening cabinets and drawers, as if she’d lived in the safe house for an eternity. “I don’t intend to grill you. I just need some information.”
    She bent into the refrigerator. “There’s cold chicken and potato salad. That sound okay to you?”
    Distracted by her stance, which he considered a real money-shot, he said, “Yeah, sure. Whatever.”
    “Good. It’ll be ready in a jiffy.” Then she peered over her shoulder. “Well? Fire away with the inquisition. I’m ready.”
    She looked ready. He decided to get the most pertinent questions out of the way. “When was the last time you were examined?”
    She straightened out of the fridge, a little appalled, her cheeks heating. “Examined?” she asked on a whisper of sound.
    Was there a better way to ask? If so, he didn’t know it. He wasn’t cut out for this sentimental, heart-to-heart crap. “Yeah. By a doctor.”
    She blinked, and looked away from him.
    Bryan persisted. “You know, to make sure you’re…healthy.” He’d almost said clean, but caught himself in time.
    Turning her back, she asked, “Do I look ill to you?” She was so tall, she didn’t have to tiptoe or use Barb’s stepstool to reach the top shelf of the cabinets.
    Bryan sighed. “You know that’s not what I mean.”
    She pulled down two plates, cleared her throat, and said, “It wasn’t that long ago. I don’t have anything contagious.”
    Now he felt like an asshole for asking, like he’d insulted her as well as embarrassed her. But hell, Bruce had it on the list.
    Clasping the ends of the pen in both hands, he attempted to clarify why he’d asked. “There’s a woman—a doctor—who works with us. Dr. Eve Martin, from the clinic. She gives free examinations to the women.”
    Shay jerked around with renewed interest. “You said Dr. Martin?”
    “That’s right.” He frowned at her. “You know her?” If she did, then that had to mean she was from the area after all. Maybe Shay was an alias. But why?
    She ducked her head and turned away again, then plopped two heaping servings of potato salad onto the plates. Instead of answering, she asked another question. “Why would I need to see a doctor?”
    She made it harder than it had to be. “You’re not dumb. You know there’re a lot of health risks these days.”
    “No problem with me. I’m always, uh, careful.”
    The pen threatened to snap in his hands. “Still,” he insisted, trying not to growl, “if it’s been a while since you’ve been checked, I’d feel better if you let Dr. Martin look you over.”
    “No.”
    He straightened in his chair. “What do you mean, no?” Few people dared to refuse him. In the normal course of things, he wouldn’t accept a refusal. “Why the hell not?”
    “I don’t want to, that’s why.”
    His hand curled into a fist and an uncertain dread began. His voice was even lower when he said, “If there’s a problem, you can tell me. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. And hiding it won’t help.”
    She turned to face him, her eyes wide.
    He stared back, unblinking.
    “There’s not a problem.”
    Then why didn’t she want a free checkup? “I can get you a private appointment with Dr. Martin. No one else would have to know.”
    Shay looked from his eyes to his mouth, and damn it, he knew exactly what she was thinking. She made him