The Watson Brothers. Lori Foster

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ when she suddenly said, “They were right, you know.”

      He’d been so busy trying to ignore her warm, softly scented body beside him, her words caused him to start. “Who’s that?”

      “The other officers.”

      “Fuller and Isaac?”

      “I suppose. You didn’t introduce me so I don’t know their names.”

      She made it an accusation, setting his teeth on edge. “It was hardly a social affair, if you’ll recall.”

      Silence reigned until he said, “All right, I give. What were they right about?”

      Without him realizing it, they’d left the main road and were now in the suburbs, close to his moderate house.

      She turned down his tree-lined lane. “You getting laid. That is”—she hesitated, peeked a look at him, then forged on—“if you want to.”

      Several things happened to Sam at once. His stomach bottomed out, his eyes widened, and his dick gave a proud salute.

      Well hell. What was she up to now?

      Chapter Two

      The silence was enough to squash her. Ariel didn’t want to look at Sam again, not when her first glimpse had shown him to be anything but interested. Horrified, yes. Shocked, yes. But not interested.

      Unfortunately, whenever he was around, she couldn’t seem to not look at him. From the day she’d met him, he fascinated her.

      It wasn’t just his awesome physique that drew her, though that was pretty eye-catching. He was tall, muscular, mean, and lean. He had the attitude of a man in charge, spoke as if he expected to be obeyed, and had confidence down to a fine art.

      And it wasn’t just his incredible, look-into-your-soul blue eyes, so different from his brothers’. Sam had inherited his mother’s eyes, while both Gil and Pete looked more like their father with chocolate brown eyes. They all had inky black hair though, and thick lashes. They were all handsome—just in different ways. Gil was sophisticated, suave. Pete was fun-loving and playful.

      Sam was all basic male, rough-edged and rugged and keenly capable of handling any lethal situation.

      He was also a pretty nice guy, though his gruff manner and burdening responsibility often hid that fact. Best of all, he was a bona fide hero through and through. When his family needed him, he stepped up to the plate without complaints. On the job, he did what had to be done to make things right. His brothers looked up to him, his mother depended on him, and his fellow officers respected him. He was like Superman only real. And sexier.

      Finally, with an uncertain laugh, Sam said, “Come again?”

      Ariel cleared her throat. His tone of disbelief didn’t exactly bode well, but she’d made up her mind. “You know when I said I went to the bar to be sure?”

      “Yeah, right. Sure there wasn’t anyone else—whatever the hell that means.”

      “It means I wanted to be sure there wasn’t anyone else who appealed to me. But there isn’t. That’s the third bar I’ve been in this week.”

      A thundercloud would appear passive next to his darkening expression. “You’ve been hanging out in bars?” His teeth actually clenched, fascinating her. “Do you have any idea what’s been happening around the area bars lately?”

      She hadn’t, but judging by what he’d done tonight, she assumed some muggings were taking place. Because she didn’t want a lecture, she just shrugged.

      His eyes turned red.

      To pacify him, she pointed out her other visits. “I’ve also been to two nightclubs, the grocery, the park, and three concerts. Sorry, but there is no one else who appeals to me.” She drew a long breath and admitted the stark truth. “You’re the only one.”

      At that moment, Sam looked to be choking on murderous intent.

      “Say something.”

      He didn’t, he just sat there, steam coming off his head while his face colored and his fists curled. Ariel honestly didn’t know if he fought the urge to take her or strangle her. Not that she was afraid of him. Never.

      Sam protected people—he didn’t abuse them.

      Because she and Pete had stopped by his house once, she knew where he lived. She pulled into the blacktop drive and turned off the car. She didn’t at first look at him, not when it felt like he was frying her with his gaze. When she finally worked up the nerve, she turned to him.

      “Well?”

      Through his teeth, he snarled, “Inside.”

      Oh good. At least he wasn’t throwing her off his property already. She considered his grudging command a positive step. Slipping out of her car, she managed to hold her dress up, drop her keys into her purse, and close the door. Sam made no gentlemanly moves toward her, but then, he was badly beaten up.

      She loved his old two-story house. It had a poured front porch complete with an overhang and wooden swing. The shrubbery was original and thick and outdated, but it made a nice contrast against the red brick. Enormous oaks lined the street and during the day, squirrels scurried everywhere.

      At his father’s death, he’d inherited a large sum of money. She didn’t doubt that Sam could have afforded a posh, upscale home in an exclusive neighborhood. She was glad he hadn’t moved.

      When she reached Sam’s side, he took her arm in an implacable grip and started her in a trot toward the front door. Some elderly neighbors in the house to the right hailed him, forcing him to stop.

      “Evening Sam.”

      Sam groaned, slowly turned and waved at the two people visible by their front porch light. “Booth, Hesper. What are you doing up this late?”

      Ariel giggled. It was only eleven thirty.

      “The dog had business to take care of. Her old bladder just gives her fits.”

      Ariel’s giggle got caught in her throat. She looked in the yard and saw the most hideous creature she’d ever clapped eyes on. An obese bulldog squatted by a bush, turned to sniff, and then lumbered back to her owners, who praised her as if she’d created gold.

      “Who’s your lady-friend?” Hesper asked with a nosiness reserved for the old or very young.

      Sam leaned in close to Ariel’s ear. His hot breath teased her when he growled, “Stay here.” Then he moved away to the neighbor’s porch railing. They spoke quietly so Ariel couldn’t hear what was said.

      Seconds later, both elders looked over at her with awe and horror. Ariel frowned. Just what had Sam told them? He returned, took her arm again and said, “Let’s go.”

      “What did you say to them, Sam Watson?”

      “Keep your voice down. This is a quiet neighborhood.”

      His walkway СКАЧАТЬ