The Con (Men Who Thrill Book 4) Read Online Free

birthday adventure.”
    She turned away from me to stare out at the full to almost overflowing parking lot, watching the trails of people, kids and their parents, young couples, old couples, all headed toward the gates. Then she looked back at me.
    “The carnival?”
    “That’s right. We’re going to ride unsafe roller coasters, eat caramel apples, and if you behave, I might even win you a stuffed animal or two,” I said.
    She went somber then, the quizzical expression on her face replaced with one that edged too close to disbelief for my tastes.
    “But why?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, but still loud in the confines of the car.
    “Ruby,” I said, not speaking until she looked at me. And once I held her gaze with mine, I continued. “Because I want to. I think this will be fun.”
    “It’s just…” She looked away, took a deep breath. Then she turned her gaze back to me, her eyes still wary but softer now. “Never mind. Let’s go.”
    She gave me a tentative smile, and then got out of the car. I smiled inwardly and followed her, and together, we walked toward the gates. The crowd moved around us and a couple of times, I lost sight of her. When I caught up with her, I grabbed her hand and interlocked my fingers with hers.
    Her face shifted, and she looked down at our entwined fingers and then back to my face, her surprise apparent. I could see her internal struggle, could tell that she debated pulling her hand away. Before she could make up her mind, I tightened my hand and gazed at her, practically daring her to pull away.
    She didn’t.
    ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
    “Are they all going to fit?” she asked as we returned to the car hours later.
    “They’ll fit,” I said as I pushed another plush animal onto the backseat.
    Ruby chuckled, the sound high, happy. “I told you one would be fine,” she said.
    “Nonsense,” I responded as I leaned against the car door, using my weight to ensure it closed. “Why one when you can have ten?” I said.
    She laughed again. “I think I should be flattered, but I suspect you had more fun beating the game than winning these for me.”
    “Maybe it was a little of both,” I said as I got into the car, a stuffed-animal leg hitting the back of my head.
    I had enjoyed winning the toys for Ruby, but I equally enjoyed beating the rigged game.
    “I had a really great time,” Ruby said.
    “Me too.” I glanced at her quickly, reached across the seat to grasp her hand again, and then turned my eyes back to the road.
    Her hand lay in mine, stiff, but as she had this morning, little by little she relaxed, and by the time we reached her house she clung to my hand unabashedly.
    “Thank you,” she said sincerely when I pulled to a stop.
    “Don’t thank me yet. I still have to get these inside,” I replied, gesturing at the backseat.
    “No need. I’ll take care of it,” she said, reaching for the door handle.
    I stopped her by tightening my hand around hers.
    “Let me ask differently. Ruby, may I come in?”
    She paused, mouth opening and closing, throat working as she swallowed. And as I watched, I saw the last bits of her resistance fade before my very eyes. She might be unsure, uncertain, but I could see it clear as day.
    I had her.

Chapter Seven
    “That’s the last one,” Ruby said, and then she laughed nervously, looking around the dark living room, which was now littered with brightly colored stuffed animals.
    She rubbed her hands together and then scrubbed them down her pant legs, still not looking at me. She’d accepted my request, but in the minutes it had taken for us to unload the car, I’d felt her energy change. At some point during the day, she had opened up to me. But now I could feel her retreating into uncertainty.
    “Ruby,” I said. As I spoke, I moved closer until I stood behind her, my front to her back.
    “Ruby,” I whispered again. Then I moved even closer, close enough that I could feel the heat of her body, though I didn’t