The Unsung Hero Read Online Free Page B

grinned up at her, then
sent a shy but curious glance at Jason. "See ya later, Miss Monroe.
Bye, Mr. Monroe."
    Samantha laughed aloud as Jason's thick
eyebrows shot up at Kevin's departing address. "Mr. Monroe?" he
echoed doubtfully, amusement flickering in the eyes that met hers.
"I think I've just been adopted--" his gaze grew warmer by degrees
as it continued to rest on her flushed cheeks "--but you know, I
think I like the idea."
    She couldn't help but respond to his
bantering tone. "But if you misbehave, I'll have to send you home
to—" She stopped and looked at him quizzically.
    "Los Angeles." His devastating smile sent
waves of heat pouring through her veins. "I don't think you have to
worry about it, though. I'll be close enough that you can keep an
eye on me practically every minute of the day."
    And night? Unbidden, the words came tumbling
into her mind. The thought, as well as the memory of his recent
kiss, kindled a kind of restless longing in her body. She turned
her eyes away from his hurriedly, watching distractedly as the
frothy surf raced toward them. But curiosity and maybe even
reckless hope made her ask, "And just how close would that be?"
    "Right next door."
    Surprise widened her eyes before a hint of
disbelief came into them. "That house is owned by a man named David
Winters who lives in Portland, not Los Angeles," she said evenly,
wondering if she'd been duped after all. "And he isn't a writer,
he's—"
    "An advertising executive," Jason finished
for her smugly, and quite correctly.
    Samantha frowned good-naturedly. "Next I
suppose you're going to tell me that besides having a triple
identity, you lead some kind of a double life."
    "Nothing quite so melodramatic," he said with
a chuckle. "David is an old college buddy of mine. He's letting me
use his place for the summer." A long finger reached out to tilt
her chin up to his. "So tell me. Do you mind having me as a
neighbor all summer?"
    Samantha's heart fluttered wildly at his
words. The whole summer . . . he was staying the whole summer! Part
of her wanted to stand up and shout for joy while another part was
very much afraid the word "neighbor"—people who nodded a civil
hello on the way to the car or smiled politely while picking up the
mail-- would dictate the bounds of their relationship.
    She forced a light tone. "Of course not. So
long as you don't peck away at your typewriter all night long or
come pounding on my door at six in the morning to borrow the
newspaper. I'm an absolute bear if I don't get my eight hours
beauty sleep."
    "I won't bother knocking then." With his even
noncommittal tone it was hard to tell if he was serious, but a
quick glance revealed a tiny network of fine lines extending
outward from his eyes, visible only when he smiled. "And as for
getting your beauty sleep," he added, "you've obviously been
getting plenty."
    Samantha looked away in confusion. She
supposed she was attractive enough, but she would never have called
herself pretty. Her mouth was a little too wide, her nose too pert
and uptilted, her hair a mousy brown. Of average height, her body
was supple but lean. In high school she'd often despaired of having
any bustline at all. "You're just a late bloomer," her mother had
often laughed. And her mother had been right, though Samantha had
thought the time would never come. But even now that her breasts
were nicely rounded, her hips slightly fuller, she considered her
eyes her best asset. Large and widely spaced, they were a clear
shade of blue, which was further enhanced by a thick fringe of
lashes.
    Pushing herself off the chunk of driftwood
with both hands, she got to her feet. She ignored the warm rush of
color staining her cheeks at Jason's knowing glance, once again
conscious of the brevity of both their suits.
    "Shall we get back?" she said quickly. "My
house is unlocked and I don't like to stay away for long."
    Jason glanced at his watch, a look of obvious
reluctance on his face as he rose to his feet. "I