AdonisinTexas Read Online Free

“that’s very open-minded of you.”
    “Don’t go lumping me into the self-righteous group, darlin’.
I’m no troublemaker, but I’ve committed my fair share of sins. I’m not one to
cast stones.” He winked playfully at her and her nipples tightened behind her
lacy bra at the intimate gesture.
    She’d been the one to misjudge him .
    “So you don’t find my store offensive?” she ventured.
    “Not at all. I don’t know what half of this stuff is, but I
think every woman should wear lingerie.”
    She laughed, the tightness in her chest loosening. “Typical
red-blooded male.”
    His eyes blazed as he asked, “Were you expecting something
different?”
    Ginger admitted, “Considering you lived with Jonathan and
Lydia after your parents died, and the fact you went to a Christian college to
study ministry…”
    His jaw clenched briefly. He said, “I chose a different path
after I left Wilder.” He didn’t elaborate further. Rather, he changed the
subject back to what had happened to her. “I hear where you’re coming from,
Ginger. And I don’t want to cause problems for you. I’ll see what I can do when
I speak with the sheriff.”
    She breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you. I’d appreciate
that.”
    “Do you have a bag I can put the evidence in?”
    “Sure.” After replacing the receiver on its base, she
rounded the desk and pulled out one of the small, plain bags she used for
massage oils, lubricants and body paint before placing them in the larger, red
shopper’s bags embossed with her boutique’s discreet and simple name, Ginger’s ,
in gold print.
    Ryan carefully collected the paper sack and can and placed
them in the bag, then said, “How about you lock up and I’ll walk you to your
car?”
    She suddenly remembered she was due at dinner with her
friends. Stealing a glance at the grandfather clock her grandfather,
ironically, had left her when he’d passed a few years ago, she swore under her
breath. Then pressed two fingers to her lips as she let out a little eep .
    “Sorry about that.”
    Ryan grinned. “Stop thinking of me as some goody two shoes.”
    In truth, it really was difficult to consider him in those
terms. He seemed to be a man who’d been around the block a time or two and knew
what he was doing in the bedroom. The thought sent a titillating thrill down
her spine.
    She said, “I’m late for dinner at Pietro’s with friends.”
For a fleeting moment, she contemplated asking him if he’d like to join them.
But it was Friday night and she knew Lydia and Jonathan would be at the popular
restaurant.
    Ginger had experienced enough trauma for one day. She didn’t
need Lydia burning a hole in her head during dinner if she saw her with Ryan.
Nor could she stomach the sting of rejection if he turned her down.
    Offering an arm to her in a gallant way, he said, “I’ll walk
you to the restaurant. It’s on the way to the sheriff’s office.”
    She grabbed her purse, set the deadbolt on the door and
strolled casually with Ryan down the sparsely populated sidewalk. Her arm was
linked with his, her hand on his rock-hard biceps. The feel of his rigid
muscles beneath her fingers warmed her insides. And damn, did he smell good.
Musky and masculine. Expensive cologne mixed with male heat.
    He made her clit tingle and kept her in a constant state of
arousal without doing a thing.
    To divert her attention from the erotic—and still so bad and
wrong—effect he had on her, she said, “You didn’t even break a sweat when you
tackled that guy.”
    “I’ve had some training.” Glancing down at her, he added, “I
could teach you a few moves, if you want.”
    She’d never needed to defend herself physically in a small,
quiet town such as this, but it certainly couldn’t hurt to pick up a few tips.
Besides, it was an excuse to spend more time with Ryan.
    Is that really such a good idea?
    The thought formed quickly in her head, making her frown.
    Ryan misread her once again. He said,