Little White Lies Read Online Free Page B

her a moment to identify it, but when she did, she cut him off immediately.
    “You don’t see anything. I’ve had a man telling me what I could and could not do for most of my life, and I refuse to let that happen again. I’m independent Nick; do you even comprehend what that means to someone like me? I make my own money, raise my kids, run my life, and the last thing I need or want is some man telling me—”
    “I’m not trying to run your life; I just want to be part of it.”
    “The hell you’re not. You, Nicholas Kord, are probably the most domineering, arrogant man I’ve ever met. Just look what you did to me today, coming to my workplace, making me look like a woman—”
    “Maggie, you are a woman. Have you been working so long in your steel-toed boots, that you’ve forgotten that? And I’ll tell you one more thing, you can wear your jeans, stuff your hair under a hard hat, and boss that crew like MacArthur, but every man there is more than aware that you’re a woman.”
    “There’s nothing wrong with a woman doing my job. I happen to be very good at it.”
    “I’m not saying that,” Nick argued, trying to keep his cool in the face of her tirade. “You should be able to do any type of work you want regardless of your sex, but Maggie you’re running.”
    “And here I thought you were a lawyer. You didn’t tell me you were also a psychiatrist,” she shot back sarcastically.
    “It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out, honey. You’ve been running scared ever since New Year’s, avoiding me like the plague, or I wouldn’t have had to track you down at work. What are you afraid of Maggie? Why can’t you admit that it’s tough going it alone? You have needs just like—”
    “I do not need anything. For your information I’m doing just fine, or I was until you started—”
    “Started what, Maggie? Started making you remember there are other things in life besides work and kids? Started making you feel again?”
    “You make me feel all right, make me feel like wringing your neck.”
    Nick laughed. “Well, I guess that’s a start. You won’t do it, Maggie,” he whispered softly, “and do you want to know why?”
    “No, but I’m sure you’re dying to tell me.”
    “Because you’re afraid to touch me,” he told her, his voice deep and heavy.
    Maggie’s stomach muscles contracted. Her throat closed as she tried to draw breath.
    “Afraid if you do, I’ll put my arms around you and—”
    “Nick,” she choked out, her heart beating rapidly against her ribs. “I’ve got to go. I hear Caitie crying, she must be having a nightmare.” There, she’d lied three times in one day. What was happening to her?
    “All right, Maggie. I get the message. Go take care of the munchkin. I’ll see you Saturday.”
    “I have plans for Saturday.”
    “Change them.”
    “I can’t. Saturday is the only day I have to get things done around here.”
    “Fine, have it your way, but I’m picking up the kids like I promised. I want time with Jason, and I wouldn’t hurt Todd and Caitie by leaving them out. Have them ready.”
    “Nick, I don’t think this is a good idea.”
    “I don’t either, but it’s the best option I have right now. Don’t push me,” he sighed. “You’re treading on very thin ice.”
    “All right, they can go, but you better enjoy it because Monday morning I’m calling my own lawyer,” she informed him, trying to keep her voice steady. “This has to be blackmail or something.”
    “What this is, Maggie, is a reasonable man trying like hell to keep from spanking some sense into a totally unreasonable woman,” he shot back almost growling into the phone. “And in case you’re wondering, even I’m not sure how much longer I can continue being reasonable.”
    Maggie shivered, whether from fear or desire she wasn’t sure. She had been Rebecca’s maid of honor the day she had married Mason, and it was a day she’d never forget. Maggie had stood before the alter,