Whirlwind by Nancy Martin Read Free Book Online Page A

me.”
    â€œDamn right!”
    â€œWell, you can’t chase me out of here that easily, Forrester. You want me to give up smoking? Fine, I will. But I’m not leaving Timberlake, so forget it!”
    Cliff couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “A couple of hours ago you said you were passing through, and now suddenly you’re the prodigal daughter! Why in heaven’s name have you taken it into your head to barge in here—”
    â€œI need a place to crash for a while,” she cut in. “To revitalize my creativity. To open my consciousness to new experiences. To—”
    â€œOh, for crying out loud!”
    â€œI’m not here because of you, Forrester, so stop thinking I’m hot for your body or something, because I’m not—even if you’re hot for mine!”
    â€œI am not hot for your body!”
    â€œI’ve seen how you look at me, Forrester.”
    â€œMiss Baron—”
    â€œMy name is Liza.”
    â€œI know your damned name! My God, you’re the most exasperating woman—”
    â€œOh, cool down,” she said with am impish laugh, folding her arms over her chest and clearly enjoying his pique. “I think you could use some exasperation. You’ve gotten too comfortable up here all by yourself.” She tossed her head pertly. “I’ve heard about you, Forrester.”
    He quelled the urge to strangle her and ground out, “Exactly what have you heard?”
    â€œYou have quite a reputation around town. You’re a hermit or a lone wolf—one or the other. Some people even think you’re dangerous.”
    A few things began to clear up in Cliff’s mind. “That’s why you’ve come dancing in here this way, isn’t it?”
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œYou get your kicks out of dangerous men.”
    â€œWhere I get my kicks is none of your business,” she replied, standing straight again and repacking the items in her plastic bag. “I’m curious about you, that’s all. You’re a mystery man, Forrester, and I just love a mystery.”
    â€œI’ll tell you all my secrets,” Cliff said at once, “if you’ll pack up and leave in the next ten minutes.”
    She laughed and gathered up her bag. “I’m here to stay, Forrester—at least until I feel like leaving. Which bedroom is mine?”
    Cliff felt perilously close to boiling over and found himself clenching his fists. “Damn you—”
    â€œI’ll take the little pink room at the back of the second floor, okay? You haven’t set up housekeeping in that one, I’ll bet. Pink isn’t your color. I’ll use the bathroom near the back stairs, okay? It’s working?”
    â€œIf you don’t take showers by the hour.”
    She grinned. “Don’t get your hopes up. Were you planning to watch me through the peephole while I’m in the shower?”
    â€œ What peephole?”
    â€œThe one my cousin drilled so he could watch me in the bathroom. He was very immature, but I didn’t mind. I kind of liked the idea, you know?”
    She was outrageous. At least, she tried to be outrageous. Cliff doubted such a peephole had ever existed. He knew exactly what she was doing. Liza Baron liked to make up lies just to watch people’s reactions.
    â€œOh, one more thing,” she said, turning on the bottom stair. “Will you check with Carl about my car? Tell him I’d like to have it fixed by tomorrow morning, okay? And maybe you’d get some of my stuff out of the trunk? It’s all the junk from my office. Thanks.”
    She trotted up the stairs then, humming a cheery tune and laughing aloud when she reached the second floor.
    Cliff balled up his fists and struggled with the urge to shout after her. He wasn’t going to play the butler to her lady of the manor!
    â€œGet your own junk,” he muttered, and went out the back door of