Asking For Trouble Read Online Free Page B

things.”
    She grabbed the suitcase from the bed, zipping it closed so
quickly that a pair of pantyhose snagged in the zipper. His hand intercepted
the handle when she started to lift it, and she practically ran from him. It
was all she could do to try to walk normally, and the stitches in her foot
didn’t help. Somehow, she maintained an air of composure as she went to the
cupboards to grab Lucy’s treats, vitamins and an extra bowl she normally took
along during leisurely summer afternoons spent at Genesee Park. A few seconds
after her, Orion emerged from her bedroom, cases in both hands. “That’s
everything,” she said in a voice that was too bright.
    His expression betrayed nothing. “Are you ready?”
    Was she ready to stay at his house, so close to him, feeling
the way she did? How could she be prepared to get through this without ending
up in bed with her boss? So, was she ready to embark on an affair with the man
she worked for, perhaps during the most stressful time of her life? “All set.”

Chapter Three
     
    His house was beautiful and elegant, just as she had
expected. It had taken almost an hour to reach his place, and the events of the
day had caught up with her. It was all Natalie could do to follow Orion inside,
with Lucy padding at her side. In a cursory way, she noticed the modern design,
sleek furnishings and a huge window that displayed a breathtaking view of
greater Seattle and the Puget Sound beyond. A yawn escaped her and she was
unsuccessful in smothering it behind her hand.
    Orion carried her bags. He didn’t break stride as he
transferred both to one hand in order to put his arm around her waist. Natalie
leaned against him willingly, briefly wondering what had happened to her
usually strong streak of independence.
    “You look dead on your feet.”
    She nodded, wincing at his wording. If circumstances had
been just slightly different, she would be dead right now. The thought of lying
on a cold table in the morgue made her shiver.
    “Come on, love, let’s get you to bed.” He squeezed her in a
gentle hug before leading her down the hallway.
    Natalie followed him into the room, wondering if he was
taking her to his room. His wording had been ambiguous. The thought should have
alarmed her, but didn’t. Instead, she experienced a rush of disappointment when
she looked around the room, recognizing from its unoccupied air that it was a
seldom-used guestroom decorated in white and light blue.
    The bed beckoned, but she somehow resisted the urge to fall
straight into it. Natalie waited as Orion stowed her suitcases in the closet
and then walked to the door, Lucy his companion the entire way. He paused at
the doorframe. “Do you need anything? Food, a drink, perhaps a sedative?”
    Natalie shook her head. The ER doctor had offered her
anti-anxiety medication and prescription pain relievers for her foot, but she
had declined. She wasn’t opposed to taking necessary medication, but feared
either of the drugs might have locked her into a nightmare world where the
night’s events repeated over and over, without her being able to wake up enough
to escape. To avoid that, she was making due with ibuprofen. “I’m fine.
Thanks.”
    He hesitated for half a second longer before nodding. “If
you need anything, my room is at the end of the hall. The kitchen is back the
way we came, and there is a bathroom through that door.” Orion gestured to a
white door in the opposite corner of the room. “Please call me if you need
anything at all.”
    “I will.” She managed a small smile, knowing she wouldn’t
disturb her boss unless it was an emergency. It was already so awkward between
them, with everything changed so much in just a few hours. Natalie didn’t want
to add to the tension by asking for anything else. “Good night.”
    “I hope you can sleep.” He closed the door behind him after
a farewell pat on Lucy’s head.
    Natalie stripped off her clothes and fished out a nightshirt
from her