Hurting To Feel (Carpool Dolls) Read Online Free Page A

how.
    "Listen—"
    "Stop."
She put her hand up. "Don't say any more. I've heard enough."
    "I
want to talk with you," he said.
    She
scoffed. "We don't have anything more to say."
    "I'm
thinking we have a lot to say, and if you don't give me five minutes now, I'll
have Janice hire you in the morning to ride with me to work." He glowered.
    Her
eyes widened. Then she snickered. He had no time to react, because she looked
him square in the eyes and laughed. His body still reeling from her response to
the job offer suddenly took notice of the way her face softened, her eyes
brightened, and she opened herself to him for the first time since he'd met
her. He'd thought she was beautiful before. When she laughed, she was
absolutely stunning.
    She
inhaled deeply, still snickering. "Oh dear, Mr. Rafferty—"
    "Nate,"
he said.
    "I
don't think so." She pivoted and walked to her car and opened the door. Before
she climbed in, she paused. "You see, Mr. Rafferty. You don't know me at
all. You will not call tomorrow and be able to hire me."
    "Why
not?" he said.
    Her
laughter died. "Because I am the owner of Carpool Dolls."
    Without
letting him comprehend the news, she slid inside the Porsche, put it in
reverse, and squealed away. He stared at the vacant spot where she'd parked. The
owner?
    Why
didn't she say something the first time they met? Anger over how she could run
such a business, and still hold the power of the men who used her business, he
jumped back in the BMW, kicked it into third, and raced out of the parking
garage in pursuit. If she thought she'd seen the last of him, she was wrong.

 
    Chapter
Four
    Addison
slammed the door, slapped at the light switch, and threw her purse across her
living room. The more miles she put between her and Nate, the angrier she grew.
She'd worked her ass off for the last four years building a solid reputation
for her girls.
    Who
was he to assume anything about her?
    She
kicked off her heels as she walked to the fridge and removed a bottle of wine.
After putting up with his claustrophobic touching and playing her role as his
date—without a bite of dinner she noted—she deserved to consume the whole
bottle. She poured herself a glass, and decided a spoonful of jam was also called
for.
    Men.
They were all like her father.
    She
shoveled another spoonful of strawberry preserves into her mouth and followed
it with a healthy swallow of wine. She tapped her fist against the counter as
the sweetness overloaded her head. Not only was Nate an asshole, he was a class
act asshole.
    The
doorbell rang. She groaned. It was probably Ms. Lindsay, who lived next door,
wondering why she arrived home late.
    She
picked up the jar, walked to the front door, and scooped more jam into her
mouth before swinging the door open. "Everything is okay, Ms—
    "Addy,"
Nate said.
    She
swung the door closed, but Nate blocked it with his hand and stepped inside. She
backed up and pointed the spoon at him. "Get out."
    "I
want to apologize." He closed the door and slipped his hands into his
pocket. "I've insulted you."
    "You
think?" She dug the spoon into the jar and stuffed her mouth full of jam.
    "I
made a couple phone calls. Well, my attorney made them for me while I followed
you home. I was distracted trying to keep up with you. You do know how to drive
the hell out of the Porsche." His mouth softened. "I'm sorry, Addy. I
assumed you were supplying…services, but I was wrong. From all accounts, you're
running a hell of a business."
    Okay.
Well, then. Um. She swallowed the bite of strawberries. That was the last thing
she expected him to say.
    She
lifted her chin. "Apology accepted."
    He
closed the distance between them, took the spoon out of her hand, dropped it
into the jar, and set it on the end table beside the couch. She backed up until
her legs hit the cushions and put a stop to her retreat.
    He
swiped his thumb along the corner of her mouth. "Got a little something
right here…"
    She
licked her lip, encountered his thumb,