Wilde Blue (Wilde Brothers Book 4) by Susan Hayes Read Free Book Online

the neighborhood following you home tonight, lucky man.”
    “It’s a good thing Chase isn’t allowed inside or the mutt would be all over me.” He handed back the towel before running a hand through his tousled hair, smoothing it into damp spikes.
    “Ben and Kelly aren’t here tonight. In fact, it’s pretty quiet. I think the storm sent most people home early. The only Wilde here is your dad. Your mom offered to watch Carla tonight, so you’ll be able to eat in relative peace.”
    “How quiet is it?” he asked, and for some reason the tone he used made her heart skip a beat and her stomach flutter.
    “It’s not dead, but the rush seems to be over. Why do you ask?”
    “I was hoping to steal you out of the kitchen for a while, but only if you have the time. I talked to Tag today. I thought you and I could talk about the weekend after next, and what I need to be watching for.”
    She nodded. “Of course.”
    This was the part she’d been dreading. It didn’t bother her to tell the story of what happened to her and Casey that night. It was the way people reacted to it, and to her, after they knew the details. She hated seeing the pity in their eyes and the way they either faded out of her life or tried to wrap her in bubble wrap and protect her from everything. She wasn’t made of glass and didn’t need anyone’s sympathy. Most people didn’t understand that.
    “Have you eaten?” he asked.
    The question caught her off-guard. “Uh, no. I was going to, but I got distracted watching the storm.”
    He cocked his head to the side and was silent for a moment before speaking. “Will you have dinner with me? We can grab a booth at the back and talk and eat at the same time.”
    “Sounds good. What do you want to eat? I’ll whip up something for us both and join you out front.”
    “Have one of the others make it. Come sit with me.”
    For a second she thought he was going to reach for her hand, but instead he pointed down the hall toward the entrance to the pub. When she hesitated, he furrowed his brow and shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest in a way that made his shirt tighten across his biceps in a distracting fashion.
    “No arguing. Even I let my staff take breaks, and I’m the mean brother, so I know damned well Jared gives you plenty of breaks that you probably never use. You’re going to sit down and relax, Dani. I have a feeling you don’t do that often.”
    “I doubt you do it often, either. Your family is convinced you’re a workaholic. From what I’ve seen, I’d say they’re right.”
    His frown deepened, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips as he cocked a brow at her. “What did I say about arguing? Take your apron off, Chef. You’re on a break.”
    “You sound like your dad,” she muttered, but she reached behind her to undo the tie on her apron. A break did sound like a good idea.
    “It’s a cop thing.”
    “Nope, it’s a Wilde thing. Your brothers do it, too. I don’t know how your mother puts up with you guys.”
    “She doesn’t put up with us. She rules us with an iron grip.” He leaned forward and dropped his voice to a whisper. “Don’t tell her I said so, but we’re all afraid of her.”
    “Ha!” Dani laughed. “She’s a sweetheart.”
    “Remind me to tell you the story of how my parents met, and how she had to save my dad from her stalker by breaking a vase over the bad guy’s head. I’m hoping Tag’s kid is a girl…and takes after her grandmother.”
    The mention of his brother’s name reminded Dani of why Dave was here, and what he wanted to talk to her about. “You can tell me over dinner. I’ll let the staff know where to find me and put in an order for your usual.”
    “I have a usual?” he asked, looking perplexed.
    “The last few times you’ve been in you ordered the same thing, a pulled pork sandwich, light on the sauce, with a side of extra-crispy fries.”
    “How’d you know that?”
    She grinned up at him. “You’re