Sterling's Reasons Read Online Free Page A

saw that his eyes checked out her legs as she got out. She ignored what was a natural, manly thing to do. Tucking her arm through his, she walked up the wooden ramp with him. It was there again. That charge of 22
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    Sterling’s Reasons
    electricity, like rubbing a balloon against her hair. So, he was a good-looking man and it was only natural for her to respond to him. He had a good build and, despite his surliness, she had already honed in on a gentleness that lurked just beneath the surface. He was going through a bad time and she had to be patient with him.
    The restaurant was wonderful. It was as if she had been propelled back in time to the old, serious fishing days. Nets hung from the ceiling full of all kinds of shells. Fish were mounted on the walls. The lights were low; the music slow.
    An apple-cheeked man led them to a table next to the window. It was covered with a blue linen cloth and set with gleaming silverware. The candle that glowed in the middle was a miniature ship’s lantern.
    Idly running her finger around the rim of the waiting coffee cup, Sterling commented cheerfully, “This is wonderful. Have you been here before? Look at the ropes and the shells. Aren’t they the strangest wall hangings? Sort of a collage of pieces of wood painted different colors.”
    He sat back and ignored the menus being placed in front of them.
    “Would the Mr. and Mrs. like a drink before dinner?” the waiter asked.
    She didn’t miss the narrowing of Joe’s eyes before he ordered a vodka martini for himself and a Salty Dog for the lady.
    As the waiter walked away she leaned forward and whispered, “I would have preferred a Coke, but that’s okay. What is a Salty Dog?”
    He lipped a cigarette out of the pack and lit it with an expensive gold lighter.
    “Smoke?”
    “I don’t mind.”
    “No, do you?”

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    Joey Light
    “Oh, no. Did once, with my brother. Got sicker than a dog. I like this place, Mr. MacDaniels.” Happily, she scanned the menu. “I’m going to have the Gangplank Burger. What are you ordering?”
    “Some answers. What’s your game, lady?”
    Okay, she could be tough, too. “Look, MacDaniels.” She lowered the menu and glared at him over the top of it. “If all you want is to play twenty questions with me, do it later. All I want is a nice restful dinner, with a relaxed companion.”
    This broad has left the realm of reality, he thought. He shook his head slightly and wondered again at his decision to come here with her. He could be home now, stretched out on that couch…doing what? Anything he wanted to. But none of that was what he wanted to be doing. Everything was wrong. Everything was destroyed. By his own hand.
    He drew a long breath and forced a smile. He planned on getting some information. He’d try the easy way first.
    She wasn’t prepared for the transformation a mere curling of his lips did to his face. He went from being handsome to being gorgeous. From foreboding to dangerous. From interesting to intriguing. She let her eyes linger on his smirk.
    “For now, no more questions. But later I want answers.” His eyes burned directly on hers over the smile and Sterling felt waves of anticipation roll through her. Anticipation of what she didn’t know, but it was definitely there.
    By the time the waiter took their orders, Sterling was glad to see that MacDaniels had forced himself to relax. He was actually trying to appear to be enjoying himself. When Sterling looked out the window all she could see was their reflections. They looked wonderful together. His dark, powerful look and her gentle, sunny one. Her eyes caught his in the glass and held. There was no smile now. He was back to that thoughtful look. It had a power to it all its own.
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    Sterling’s Reasons
    She felt it clear down to her toes. She was saved by the approach of the waiter bringing their plates.
    As she had predicted, he had