[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

His eyes twinkled and he raised his eyebrows when he said, do it. This wasn t
going to be easy, but she had to stay focused. One of her concerns in going away with
him was the idea that she still didn t know him that well. She intuitively felt as if she
could trust him, but if something did happen, she d feel pretty stupid before being raped
and murdered. Why add to the misery?
 I need to verify the information. Can I see your driver s license?
Shane pulled his wallet from his back pocket and handed the license to her
without protest. She scanned his address and date of birth. They matched the form.
 Is this address the Harbor towers?
 Yep.
 Whew. No bodies buried in the backyard, then. Unless he meant the ocean!
He simply chuckled.
Stop it, Natalie. He was joking. He s always joking.
 Okay, your year of birth is 1969?
 A very good year.
Hmm, they hadn t tried the sixty-nine position yet. For God s sake, I ve got to
get a hold of myself or we ll never get this damn form finished!
 I can verify your physical description by looking at you, so we can skip that
part. Oh, but how I love looking at your blue eyes, straight blond hair, and two hundred
pounds of solid muscle.
 What are your ancestral origins and religion again?
 Irish mother, Irish father, and recovering Roman Catholic.
She smiled and nodded.  Education?
 I already told you. High School, four-years of college, and then two years of
graduate school. My major and minor as an undergrad were business and music. I
earned an MBA in graduate school. I plan to get a CPA and save the company the
expense of an accountant. But even more than that, I want to marry the right woman and
start a family.
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HARD HATS, HARD BODIES
Why did he say that? Ambitions weren t on the form. Did he think she was the
right woman? Cut that out, Natalie. Just get the facts straight.
 Your parents are in good health?
 My father retired, but both parents are in good health. He was driving my
mother crazy for a while after his retirement, but she didn t require medication. Again,
he shot her that teasing grin.
She rolled her eyes and handed him the clipboard.  Okay, wise-guy. Sign the
bottom, and then tell me why you re buying me expensive dresses.
Shane signed the form with a flourish and handed it back to her. With a sly smile,
he said,  I bought the designer dress in a wearable size, because even though you re a
tasty morsel when you re naked, I might like to take you to elegant places that require
clothes.
She shook her head.  You re incorrigible.
He folded his arms and cocked his head.  Don t worry. You ll learn to love that
about me.
****
Liz had Shane s address, phone number, cell phone number and license number.
Natalie felt she had covered herself well enough to go away with him for one night, but
didn t agree to two. Leave him wanting more, Liz had advised.
Natalie still didn t know where he was taking her, so she prepared for anything.
Scratching her head, she mentally ran through the list she had made and checked off
everything that was already in her garment bag. Toiletries, casual cool clothes, dressy
cool clothes, casual warm clothes, dressy warm clothes, one pair of casual and dressy
shoes, one pair of casual and dressy sandals, sneakers, socks, pantyhose, stockings,
garters, lingerie, a bathing suit, and a spa robe. Finally, on top of everything, she
lovingly packed the silky Stella McCartney dress that still took her breath away.
Shane had insisted that she keep it and refused to take a dime. She shook her
head remembering how he said he d take it if they broke up, and then jokingly said that
the dress would keep them together through the tough times. What a nut. He was right
about one thing. She was learning to love that about him.
He was due any minute, and she couldn t wait to see him. When the phone rang,
she bounded into the living room to answer it. Maybe he had some last minute
instructions that would let her know where they were going. She d love to lighten her
suitcase if she could get him to give up a hint.
 Hello?
39
Cyndi Redding, Isabelle Drake, J.J. Massa
 Natalie, promise you ll hear everything I have to say, and you won t hang up on
me. Shane s voice was deadly serious.
Shit. This can t be good.  I ll do my best.
 Please. This is important. You ll need to take down a phone number. Do you
have a pencil and paper handy?
 Uh, yeah. Hang on a sec. Alarmed by his urgency, she jogged to the kitchen
and grabbed the pad of paper she used for shopping lists.  Got it. Now, tell me what s
wrong.
 First, here s my brother, Liam s phone number. 555 4903. Did you get that?
Frowning, Natalie jotted down the number.  Okay, I wrote it down. Now, are
you going to tell me why?
 Because I need him to come to the Charles Street jail and bail me out.
Natalie s mouth went dry. She couldn t speak. Not one word would come out of
her mouth. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]