Too Hard to Break Read Online Free Page A

and took my book into the living room to wait for my dinner
to arrive.
    * * * * *
    The red neon numbers of my alarm clock flipped over to
eleven-fifteen when Hank’s truck finally pulled into the driveway. The familiar
sound both eased and aggravated me. I was glad he had made it home safe since
it was still storming, and aggravated with myself for waiting on him. My light
was out and I was under the covers, but sleep had eluded me so long as I knew
he wasn’t home. Tears burned the back of my throat at the thought of where he
might have been and what he might have been doing. I wondered if he was with
the same woman Meg had seen at the restaurant or maybe he had been on a date. I
gasped at the thought, turning my face into my pillow to choke off the sound.
    “Elle?”
    I’d been so lost in misery I hadn’t even heard him enter the
house. Apparently he had decided to check on me and before I knew it he was
sitting on the side of my bed.
    “Hey, baby, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”
    I kept my face hidden in my pillow and nodded. The pressure
of his hand on the back of my head was gentle as he caressed my hair.
    “I thought I heard you cry. You’re not crying are you?”
    I shook my head but still didn’t face him. He ran his hand
down my hair again before adding pressure to turn my face toward him. I didn’t
bother resisting. It was dark in the room anyway.
    “Baby?”
    I gasped as his breath ghosted across my lips. He was
leaning over me, hidden in shadows so I couldn’t see his expression. He kissed
me softly and I tasted a hint of beer on his lips.
    “Tell me what’s wrong.”
    He kissed me again as if he could coax the answer from my
mouth. I sighed and settled my palms against his chest, but didn’t have the strength
to push him away.
    “Nothing. I’m fine.”
    He hummed and shook his head slowly, brushing his lips
across mine. “Now I don’t believe that for a second. Your eyes are moist and
you made a noise before burying your face in your pillow. Tell me what’s wrong
so I can sleep tonight.”
    I released a breath and considered how to answer. One of the
few things he had asked me for these past few months was honesty. After all the
bullshit Declan had put me through I had easily agreed when Hank had promised
it right back. I cleared my throat and asked the first thing that came to mind.
    “Where were you tonight?”
    He stilled until I wondered if his heart was still beating.
A red flag went up in my mind and I knew I’d asked the wrong question.
    “Never mind,” I said quickly. “It’s none of my business.”
    He sighed and sat up. Moonlight broke through the passing
clouds and streamed through my window just long enough for me to see him run
his hand through his hair, then it was dark again.
    “I had dinner with a client, sweetheart,” he said quietly.
    “Okay.”
    His gaze burned through me and I was glad for the darkness.
“Were you really upset I was out late?”
    I shook my head and prayed he would forgive me for a little
white lie. “No. I just had a really shitty day at work.”
    He leaned over me again, resting his arms on either side of
my head until we were a breath apart. This time his muscled chest pressed
against my breasts until I felt his heartbeat.
    “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to talk about it when you got home.
I can’t promise it’s not gonna happen again in the next couple of weeks. Can
you forgive me?”
    “Yes.”
    I felt his smile against my mouth before his tongue pushed
through my lips. I moaned as he invaded, taking his time to explore. His unique
taste blended with beer and barbecue sauce sizzled on my tongue. I slid my
hands up his chest to his shoulders and wrapped my arms around his neck. Every
concern and thought disappeared from my mind as it filled with the sensation of
his hard body pressed against mine.
    He nibbled on my lips before moving to my chin and then my
throat. I gasped and threw my head back to give him better access. He hummed
again