Wade by Jennifer Blake Read Free Book Online

alerted him, the creak of the hinges on the house door.
    Wade Benedict glanced at her with a lifted brow. At her stiff nod, he removed his hand, then swiftly changed his position so that his body with its dark clothing shielded her, especially the light blue of the blouse she wore with her long skirt. They stood motionless in the dark blotch of tree shadow.
    An oblong of light fell across the garden. Ahmad’s stocky shape filled the doorway. Chloe tensed, expecting to be reprimanded for staying outside so long.
    It didn’t happen. Instead her stepbrother stepped out to the edge of the herb bed where he unbuttoned his pants and relieved himself of the endless cups of tea he’d drunk in his role as host. It was a favorite trick of his, that defilement, because he knew the garden was her retreat.
    Once done, Ahmad turned, refastening his clothes. The kitchen door closed behind him, and she was left alone again with Wade Benedict.
    They didn’t move or speak for long seconds. Withevery sense on high alert, Chloe could feel the breeze that stirred the leaves overhead, catch the scents including night-blooming jasmine, mint and the sour mulberries that had been crushed underfoot. She could also feel the body heat of the man who stood so close. If she moved her hand just a fraction, she could touch him. The temptation to do just that lurched through her so she clenched her fingers into a fist to prevent it.
    When she’d first come here, when she’d been so dismayed and unhappy, she’d daydreamed in the way of teenagers that her father would come for her. He’d whisk her away, maybe knocking Ahmad flat in the process, and the two of them would fly straight back to America. The fantasy had always run headlong into the fact that she’d have to leave her mother behind if she went away, something that had been insupportable. She was reminded of that particular fantasy now, she thought, because the daydream beckoned once more and she was still constrained by ties of duty and affection.
    Wade Benedict was not a figment of her imagination, however. He was real, and it seemed that he would not be easily deflected from his purpose.
    â€œClose call.”
    Delayed reaction rippled over her so her teeth chattered a little as she opened her mouth to speak. “Yes.”
    He put out a hand as if to touch her, then drew it back again. “If this Ahmad character scares you somuch I’d think you’d be dying to get away from him.”
    She pressed her lips together. Explaining further would be a waste of breath. She had to get rid of this man somehow, before he ruined everything. “It’s a big step, a huge change. I…need time to think about it.”
    Doubt rode his voice as he asked, “How much time?”
    â€œThirty-six hours? I will meet you in the bazaar then.”
    â€œWhy not tomorrow?”
    â€œI can’t go out any time I please, but usually try to teach two days per week. If I can’t make it the day after tomorrow, it will be the day after that. If I’m not there then, you will know that I am staying.”
    â€œNow wait a minute,” he began.
    â€œIt’s the best I can do.”
    â€œWhy do I have a feeling I’ll be standing around again, waiting for someone who never shows?”
    â€œIf it happens, then you must accept that it was impossible for me to leave.”
    â€œOr that you prefer the devil you know?”
    Her brow pleated in a frown. “Is that supposed to mean something?”
    â€œYou’ve been here so long that a lot of what goes on seems almost natural, part of a familiar rut that doesn’t require you to think because somebody takes care of that for you. You’re like a prisoner who hasbeen behind bars so long that the outside world looks too big to handle. It’s easier to stay put.”
    â€œI told you why it’s important to me.”
    â€œYeah, but is that the real reason or just an excuse?