Murphy's Law Read Online Free Page B

taffeta, but it’s not working. Or were you just pulling my leg?”
    She unlocked her car and slid into the seat. For October the weather remained stifling and humid. It wasn’t much cooler outside in the fresh air than it had been inside with broken air-conditioning. Her shirt stuck to her back, and her hair hung damp and limp on her shoulders.
    â€œI don’t even know what taffeta is, but the truth isn’t much better.” After starting the car, relocking the doors, and cranking up the air-conditioning, she asked, “You really want to hear about my dress right now?”
    â€œCan you not hear the anticipation in my voice?”
    Funny how talking to Quinton on the phone made all her exhaustion evaporate. Dangerous. “All right, then. You asked for it.” She began backing out of her spot. “It really is pink, but a pale pink. Silk, not taffeta, but it’s got some itchy lace on it. V-necked, floor length…”
    His voice darkened. “Sounds lovely.”
    â€œHey,” Ashley teased, “is this turning into one of those perverted phone calls?”
    â€œI’m just visualizing you in silk.”
    â€œYeah, well, if you start breathing heavy, I’m hanging up.”
    Quinton laughed. “I promise to behave.”
    â€œGood. Because I’ve had a hard enough night.”
    She heard some rustling, as if he’d just settled back in bed to get comfortable. “How’s that?”
    â€œThe air went off and Flint couldn’t reach anyone from maintenance.”
    â€œFlint the security guard?”
    â€œThat’s him.” She carefully steered the car from the garage, and though her nervousness had dissipated, she still glanced around at all the shadows, looking for she didn’t know what. She saw nothing but debris. No lurking madmen or threats of any kind. “The death of the air conditioner set the tone, and everything else went wrong, too. I’m sweaty, hungry, tired, and cranky.”
    â€œNow that’s an image I can reconcile better than pink taffeta.”
    â€œHa ha.” But he was right. She couldn’t see herself all dressed up, either. She just knew she’d end up looking stupid. “Right now I’m aiming to eat, shower, and hit the sack, in that order. No time for phone sex, sorry.”
    â€œAnother time then.” In the middle of her laughing, he added, “I haven’t eaten yet, either. Breakfast sounds terrific. Where should I meet you?”
    Her punching heartbeat ended the laughter. Butterflies started a brawl in her stomach. Her fingers hugged the steering wheel. “Who says you’re invited?”
    He gave an exaggerated sigh. “You tell me that you have no time to get to know me. Well, I’m up at this ungodly hour, and we’re both hungry, so sharing breakfast is the perfect plan.”
    â€œIf the hour seems ungodly to you, why are you up?”
    Ashley could almost hear him thinking.
    â€œI have some things to do today.”
    To her ears he sounded evasive. “Before dawn?”
    â€œSoon. And no, I didn’t get up just to shanghai you for a meal. Actually, I assumed you’d be going straight home to bed. When I called, it was with the intent of hearing your voice, that’s all.”
    Ridiculous how badly Ashley wanted to believe him. With the offer out there, going home to sleep no longer seemed so appealing.
    So what would one meal hurt? A public restaurant would be a natural block to her explosive sexual urges. She’d have to keep it in check, and so would he.
    â€œBesides,” he said, intruding on her thoughts, “we should discuss the wedding. You haven’t even told me what time to pick you up, or where we’re going.”
    He had a point. Ashley glanced at the clock on her car console. “I was going to grab a bowl of cold cereal at home, but…” She decided to take a chance. “Know where the Squirrel