Dare to Love Read Online Free Page B

jeans and a short-sleeved, button-up shirt with two pockets in just the right places. He wished to hell he hadn’t noticed.
    He looked at his watch. She’d made it with about two seconds to spare. Wouldn’t you just know it.
    She was wearing that smile again, too. His stomach lurched.
    Hunger pains. That’s all it was. He’d had them enough to know, hadn’t he? But, hell, why couldn’t the woman smile like everyone else he knew? A simple lifting of the corners of the mouth, add in a few facial lines, you’ve got a smile. But not Andrea Parker. No, her smile lifted right up off her face and electrified anyone in its path. She had no right going around giving everyone the illusion that she really cared, that she’d be there if she was needed. Doug had learned a long time ago not to believe in illusions.
    He was going to have to call Stan. Maybe they could reassign him to another team, another mentor, another session.
    â€œHi, guys. Everybody sleep okay?” Andrea asked, sliding into the last empty chair. It was two down from Doug. He was thankful for small mercies. If he moved his own chair a little and leaned back just the right way, he didn’t even have to see her.
    He hadn’t called Celia in a long time, hadn’t slept with her in even longer. Maybe that was his problem. He’d just been too long without a woman. Maybe he should give Celia a call.
    The men around him all nodded or grunted in reply to Andrea’s cheery greeting. Doug remained silent. First thing in the morning was not a good time to chip away at the defenses of a bunch of strong, confident men. Hell, no time was a good time. Didn’t the woman have any sense at all?
    â€œWhat’s for breakfast?” she asked the silent group, apparently undaunted by their evasive eyes and grouchy expressions.
    â€œEggs. They’re scrambling yours, since you weren’t here to order,” the big Swede answered. He was sitting right next to Andrea, so it would have been downright rude of him not to reply. Doug felt a moment’s empathy for the guy, but mostly he was just glad it wasn’t him.
    A couple of black-suited waiters appeared at the door, carrying large trays of dishes covered with metal lids. No more was said around the table as breakfast was served. Doug got scrambled eggs, too—not that he minded. He wasn’t picky about what he ate, only that he ate.
    â€œAnybody here a Browns fan?” Andrea asked.
    A couple of the guys grunted an affirmative.
    â€œDid you catch that pre-season skirmish on Sunday?” she asked without missing a beat.
    Here it comes, Doug thought, pushing back his black leather wristband. The food on his plate no longer held much appeal. She was going to start playing with their heads now. Go ahead, Officer Parker. Touch me.
    He figured the odds were that the lady didn’t even know what sport the Browns played. He’d seen it happen a million times—women in bars or sports clubs, or even in line at the supermarket, trying to get close to a guy by bringing up sports. And most of the time—all the time, in Doug’s experience—they knew only enough about the subject to embarrass themselves.
    A couple of the officers were not quite as sharp as he was. They fell for her ploy and began to discuss NFL football with her—specifically, the Browns’ chances of making it to the Superbowl this year.
    She paused when the question was thrown at her, and Doug was tempted to lean forward enough to see her face. He would’ve liked to watch her squirm.
    â€œI’d say we have an outside chance of going all the way,” she said.
    That’s it babe, now let’s hear you back that up, Doug thought, spreading a glob of grape jelly onto his toast.
    â€œTheir quaterback’s healthy, he’s throwing well, they’re a veteran team, the coaching staff is finally solid and the rookie nose guard they got from the