Two Books in One - Ominous Love and Paradox - The Angels Are Here by Patricia Puddle Read Free Book Online Page A

his nose, his chest rising in front of me. As I try to wriggle free, he lifts me from his lap and plonks me on the bed. Holy cow! I swallow hard. Is he going to hurt me? I back up against the bedhead. I should have listened to my parents and not spoken to strangers. What was I thinking?

Chapter Seven
     
    He's standing over me, his eyes piercing mine, his nostrils flaring like he's planning something. My breathing quickens and I start to hyperventilate. Whatever he wants to do to me, I don't think it's good. I'm afraid, but I can't look away. Frowning, he turns and paces the room, running his hands through his hair. Maybe he's remembering who he is, or maybe he really is a criminal. Clenching my jaw, I move to the edge of the bed. I glance at the door, then back at him, but before I have a chance to bolt, he turns to face me.
    Crap. As I look up at him, my legs turn to jelly.
    His face softer, he kneels down in front of me and takes my hand in his. Whoa. Now what? I hold my breath.
    He kisses my fingers and gazes at me. “Eloise, we can't do this. It's wrong and I can't take advantage of you.”
    What? My jaw drops. I want to slap him. How can he say my name like that after just scaring the life out of me? I'm confused. So, he's not going to murder me? I blink twice.
    “Eloise, please tell me you understand.”
    I swallow a big lump in my throat. Huh? He likes me? I narrow my eyes at him. “You nearly frightened me to death. I thought you were going to hurt me.”
    “Hurt you?” He strokes my hair. “I could never hurt you—that's what I'm trying to tell you. You drive me crazy, but I'm not about to take advantage of you.”
    Did he just say I drive him crazy? All the air escapes my lungs as my body relaxes. I put my hand on his cheek and run my fingers along the fresh stubble on his face. “But you didn't, Seal. It was me who made the first move, so it's okay.”
    Squeezing his eyes closed, he shakes his head. “No, Eloise, it's not okay. I'm not like Tom.”
    My heart sinks. This is so the pits. I don't understand, and if he doesn't want me to kiss him, he should stop saying my name the way he does. I flush with embarrassment and fiddle with the hem of my sweater.
    A sad smile on his face, he moves a stray curl from my forehead. “Don't be upset, Eloise. It's not that I don't fancy you. How could I not? You’re a little darling. It's just that you're so young and innocent and I don't even know who I am.”
    Scowling, I look up at him. “I'm nearly seventeen, and you're not much older, I can tell.”
    He blows out a big breath. “But what if my memory comes back and I find out I'm already in a relationship? And worse, I could be married with children. I might be older than I look.” He holds my face between his hands and looks deep into my eyes. “We can't risk it, Eloise.”
    I stare at him, my hopes and desires squashed. Of course he'd have a beautiful girlfriend. What was I thinking? No one as hot as Seal could possibly be free. Blushing beneath his touch, I close my eyes. I just want to stay here and melt in his arms forever. Instead I move his hands away, then I stand up and turn to leave. “Okay, now you've succeeded in making me feel like a cheap tart that breaks up families, I'll go and have a cold shower.”
    He grabs my shoulders and turns me to face him. “You know that's not what I meant. It's not your fault that I'm attracted to you. You're so sweet and endearing. But please try and understand that we can't just rush into anything, not until I get my memory back. I don't want to be responsible for breaking your heart, or mine. So we must stop before it's too late.”
    I pull away. “I don't want to be sweet and endearing. And if you don’t want me to fall for you, you shouldn’t say my name the way you do.”
    “Your name?”
    I press my fists to my waist. “Yes, my name. You don't say it, you breathe it.”
    He sighs. “I'm sorry. Listen, I'll look for somewhere else to stay tomorrow.