Possession Read Online Free Page B

Tina was seated at the dining room table, Vincent serving her a plate of scrambled eggs and sliced cantaloupe. Not exactly her breakfast of choice, but she liked him in domestic mode. Two young sons had molded him into a capable caregiver.
    “Where is everyone?”
    “Doc left early, the Prospects are already at work, and the old ladies are still asleep. We’re alone again.”
    “Are you taking me home after we eat?” she asked.
    He claimed the spot next to her, sliding her cup of coffee within reach. “Unless you’d rather take a ride to Portland with me.”
    She mixed a spoonful of sugar and a splash of milk into her java and took a sip. “Pleasure or business?”
    “Both.” He leaned closer. “It’s a beautiful morning; we can stop at Sunset Lake and go bird-watching.”
    “On crutches?” She could see the sun through the wall of windows on the backside of the clubhouse. Maybe a day of sightseeing and relaxation was exactly what she needed.
    “We can stay on the boardwalk and search for shorebirds on the tidal flats. If you have any trouble getting around, I’ll transport you.” He smiled.
    So this behemoth enjoyed the outdoors? She’d have never guessed. Maybe fishing or hunting, but bird-watching? It just didn’t fit. “What species do you like most?”
    “Great blue herons are my favorite, but I enjoy black skimmers, northern pintails, and brown boobies.”
    “Brown boobies?” she repeated on a giggle like a kid saying a forbidden word.
    “Absolutely.” He presented her with a well-worn copy of the
National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds
. He flipped it open and pointed to a picture. “See? Get your mind out of the gutter, Tina.”
    Squat with chocolate and white feathers and yellow feet—he hadn’t made it up. “Okay, I’m in. Do you have an extra pair of binoculars?”
    “Sure do.”
    Finished eating, Vincent cleared the dishes, then brought over the aluminum crutches. “Let’s give these a try. I can adjust the height if you’re uncomfortable.”
    She stood up and he handed her one at a time. She tucked them under her arms and took off across the room, happy to be mobile again. “Thank you,” she said, returning to his side. “Doc said it might take a few days to get better.”
    “Sprains suck,” he commented. “Worse than a clean break sometimes. But this one isn’t too bad.”
    “I need to grab my sandals from my car before we leave. I don’t think my stilettos are appropriate footwear for the park.”
    “Why don’t you give me your keys? I’ll grab your shoes and park your car inside the gates.”
    “Okay. My purse is in your bedroom.”
    They walked down the hallway together and Tina went straight to the nightstand. She dug out her keys. “Here.” When she turned around, Vincent was standing inches away, his lips parted, clenching his hands.
    His intense look made her nervous and she could feel her own heartbeat. “Did I say something wrong?” Their chat over breakfast had lightened her mood, giving her hope for a chance to reboot their friendship. But if he couldn’t control his feelings…
    “No.” He forced a smile. “Maybe we need to avoid bedrooms.”
    She snorted. “How about horizontal surfaces in general.”
    Trying to hold in his laughter, Vincent snagged the keys from her hand. “Take a shower. I’ll be back soon.”
    “Wait.”
    Already at the doorway, he turned. “Yes?”
    “Aren’t you going to wash my back?”
    He blew out a frustrated breath. “You know you’re killing me, right?”
    She let his words hang in the air before she responded. “I never pegged you for a prude.”
    “Prude?”
    “Yeah.”
    He twirled her key ring around on his finger a few times. “You like to bait guys, don’t you?”
    “Only you.” Though she meant it playfully, underneath it smacked of the truth. Maybe if she persisted, he’d give in and just throw her on the bed. Because as far as she was concerned, Vincent just became her