Officer Off Limits Read Online Free Page A

freezing in the subzero temperature of the hospital, Story welcomed the blast of July heat outside. Then immediately wanted to run back into the air-conditioned hospital. The humidity radiated off the sidewalk without a hint of breeze to soften the blow. New Yorkers hustled past in every direction, somehow managing not to run smack into one another. A dozen scents hit her at once. Car exhaust, meat being grilled by a sidewalk vendor, and was that…a slight hint of urine?
    Daniel opened the passenger side door for her, meeting her eyes as she slipped into the seat. A different kind of heat trickled through her. At this rate, the combination of Daniel and the humidity would melt her into a puddle before dinnertime. He ducked into the driver’s side, his solid frame making the car feel infinitely smaller. Putting them much too close.
    Discreetly, she hoped, Story studied his profile. Strong jaw, stubborn chin, deep black hair brushing the collar of his dress shirt. As he pulled into traffic, his teeth bit down into his lower lip in an unconsciously sensual gesture. Every movement of his body screamed sex . Combined with his ladies, ladies, there’s enough of me to go around vibe, she could understand why women stopped to gawk at him on the sidewalk. She couldn’t deny his magnetism. The guarantee of satisfaction practically radiated from him.
    She wanted nothing to do with such an obvious ladies’ man, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t think about what it would be like. To let him “take her to lunch,” so to speak. She’d watched him peruse her body hungrily through the vending machine glass when he thought she wasn’t looking. A man who looked and acted like Daniel knew his way around a woman’s body, but she didn’t intend to assist him in honing his skills any further. She’d leave those honors to Nurse Helen.
    But she could imagine. Later. Like when he wasn’t sitting five feet away.
    Unable to stand the silence or her own pointless thoughts any longer, Story finally spoke. “So. That was an interesting turn of events.”
    Daniel slanted a look in her direction. “Yeah. Interesting.” He didn’t elaborate.
    Determinedly, she tried again. “I mean, you have to admit, this feels a lot like daytime television. Dad sick in the hospital…in walks semi-estranged daughter…” Nothing from Daniel. She had the sudden urge to shake him. “You and Jack seem close. I imagine he wouldn’t be too thrilled to know you made a pass at me.” With satisfaction, she watched his knuckles go white on the steering wheel.
    “That’s putting it mildly.”
    Story chuckled under her breath. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to rat you out.”
    He cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Listen, about earlier…I didn’t realize…”
    “Realize what?” After a tense moment, it dawned on her. Apparently three thousand miles hadn’t been far enough to escape the constant reminder of her humiliation. Story ducked her head. “Ah. Jack told you about Fisher.” He made a low sound in his throat, confirming her suspicion. “What does my broken engagement have to do with you making a pass at me? If anything, it should be welcome news, being that I’m on the rebound.” Her attempt to make light of the situation fell flat.
    “I’m not interested in being your rebound.” His voice sounded harsh. “Is that what you came here for? To work… him …out of your system?”
    “No,” she countered. “If that’s all I wanted, I certainly didn’t need to fly across the country for it. I’m here for my father and that’s all.”
    Daniel sent her a look she couldn’t interpret. “Glad to hear it.”
    They pulled up outside a tall brick apartment building with a green awning. He cut the engine and exited the car to retrieve her luggage, frowning at her when she didn’t wait for him to open her passenger side door. She couldn’t get a read on this frustrating man. One minute his attitude bordered on hostile, and the next he