Dreaming Of You Read Online Free

to outright lie…just skirt around the subject enough to make him think differently.
    “Um…yes, I’m the author.”
    “Then can I have your autograph?”
    Her autograph? Why would he want that after what she’d just heard? She must follow his lead and go along with him. She must not act like an idiot, either. Although right now she was painting a perfect picture of one. “Well…a…sure.”
    He slid in the seat across from her. “Along with your autograph, can you do something else for me?”
    She swallowed hard as she searched through her purse, looking for the pen she knew was in there but somehow couldn’t find. “What’s that?”
    Leaning forward on the table, he linked his fingers. “I’d like you to tell me how you knew me and why you used my identity without my permission?”
    Where was the hole she could stick her head in? Maybe if she closed her eyes and put herself somewhere in her daydreams—anywhere but here—she would vanish. Being with the scallywag pirates was better than sitting across the table from Shane Hunter.
    “Uh, lady?”
    She snapped her attention back to him. “I’m sorry. What…um…what was your question?”
    He rolled his eyes. “Will you just tell me how you know me?”
    Taking a deep breath, she ran her fingers through her hair, wishing she’d had taken a few minutes to actually make herself look presentable before she left her house this morning. Gads, of all the days to look un-pretty.
    “Ma’am?”
    “Um…yes. I mean, I’m sorry.  I mean…” Shoot, I’m a blabbering like a fool.
    She continued to look through her purse for her favorite purple pen while her mind scrambled for a decent thought. What could she tell him?
    Shane reached into the pocket inside his jacket, pulled out a pen and handed it to her.
    With an unsteady hand, she took the pen and the book then scribbled her name. Usually her handwriting was neat, smooth and precise. Not today. Her nerves had undergone a major case of battering. She took deep breaths, hoping the oxygen would help her brain to function right now.
    “I don’t know you,” she answered his question as she returned his pen and the book.
    She didn’t really lie about not knowing him, since the only way she knew him was in her dreams. She had also been friends with his sister-in-law, Tori, which was where Katelyn had received most of her information to write about his life. She and Tori had worked together, and Tori vented to Katelyn all the time about her good-for-nothing, brother-in-law.
    “Really.” The tone of his voice let her know he didn’t believe her answer. He leaned closer. “Is Chelsea Mitchell your real name?”
    Her hand was still wobbly when she returned the book and pen. “Well…not really.”
    “Will you tell me what is?”
    She swallowed, moistening her dry throat. It was quite embarrassing having a good-looking man study her so intently, especially today of all days! Self-consciously, she swiped her hand over her hair. Why didn’t I at least style it today?
    He wanted to know her name. If she gave it to him, he’d certainly remember her from college, wouldn’t he? And, if she told him her real name, he’d sue her. Then again, she had no other choice. She couldn’t lie—or skirt around this question.
    “I’m Katelyn Palmer. Chelsea is my middle name and Mitchell was my mother’s maiden name,” she rattled on, feeling once again like the shy girl she’d been in college.
    “Ms. Palmer, if you don’t know me, why is my name and identity in your book?” He pushed the book on the table, making it slide into her plate.
    Surprised, she blinked with wide eyes. He still didn’t remember her, even after she gave him her name. Well, she needed to play off that.
    She picked up the book, pretending to study the front cover. Frantically, she searched through her mind for an easy way to answer him. Her thoughts filled with ideas, but she didn’t dare voice any. Although she’d been caught, she still