Deadly Contact Read Online Free Page B

the bed to pull Kelly into his arms so he could bury his nose in her hair.
    His hands came up empty.
    Awake now, he sat up in the rumpled bed to find her sitting on the edge, tying her shoes.
    “Kelly?” Her name came out as a croak, so he cleared his throat and tried again. “Everything okay?”
    He reached over and placed a hand on her shoulder. She stiffened at the contact, so he withdrew, alarmed at her reaction. What was wrong? Had he hurt her last night? He quickly reviewed his memories of their encounter, but came up blank. She had been an eager participant, and he had made sure she was satisfied before seeing to his own pleasure. Surely she would have told him if he had done something wrong?
    His stomach dropped as another thought dawned. Did she regret sleeping with him?
    She finished tying her shoes and sat for a moment, not looking at him. The silence between them grew heavy as he took in her appearance—hair pulled back, fully dressed, shoes on. She was leaving, and he was certain she would have left without a word had he not woken up in time to catch her.
    She stood, turning to face him with a heavy sigh. “James, I was just—”
    “Leaving. Yes, I can see that.” Not wanting to have this conversation while naked and lying down, he grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around his hips as he stood. “Any reason you were sneaking out?”
    She looked down, her cheeks flushing a pretty rose. “I wasn’t sneaking out. I was just leaving quietly.”
    “Uh-huh.” He ran his hand through his hair, wincing inwardly as he felt the bed-head spikes. Putting his awkward appearance firmly out of his mind, he summoned his best interrogation voice. “Why are you leaving?”
    She was silent for several seconds, then spoke in a near whisper. “I just think it’s best if I go.”
    He took a step forward but stopped as she took a small step back. “Kelly,” he said gently, “I don’t want you to go. I’m sorry if I’ve said or done anything to give you that impression.”
    She looked down at the floor again, chewing her lower lip.
    “Last night was special to me,” he continued, slowly moving to stand in front of her. He reached out and tilted her chin up with a finger, and his gut twisted when he saw the glitter of tears in her eyes. She was clearly upset, but he couldn’t for the life of him figure out what he’d done.
    “James, please,” she pleaded in a choked voice. “Don’t make this harder than it already is.”
    He frowned down at her in confusion. “What’s going on here? I thought we had a great time last night.”
    She nodded, dashing away tears with the back of her hand. “We did. Last night was—it was amazing. I just have to go now.” She moved to walk past him, but he grabbed her arms to keep her in place. She didn’t resist his hold, but she wouldn’t look at him, directing her gaze at his belly button.
    “Kelly, what is this about? Have I done something?” Exasperation crept into his voice as she shook her head mutely. “Then why are you running away? Do you regret sleeping with me? Because if that’s the problem, we can go back to being just friends.”
    A ghost of a smile flitted across her lips before she shook her head again. “I don’t regret it,” she said softly. “Please understand that I need to go. It’s nothing you did.” She met his eyes then, holding his gaze as she repeated her assurance. “You were wonderful. But I can’t stay, and please don’t ask me why.”
    He held her a moment longer, searching her face for a sign or any expression or gesture that would explain her desire to leave so suddenly. She bore his gaze with a neutral expression, as if simply waiting for him to give up his scrutiny. Seeing that she wasn’t going to tell him anything, he released her with a sigh.
    “I don’t know what’s going on with you this morning, but you clearly don’t trust me enough to tell me.”
    She bit her lip at that, and he knew his words had hit home. He