Twisted in Tulips Read Online Free

have to say, when you two walked in this morning for her appointment I just knew you were the fiancé. You have awesome chemistry together.”
    “No. We would never work as a couple even if we wanted.”
    Misty rested an elbow on the bar and turned to face Dewayne more directly. The idea of being in such a close relationship with a man and there being nothing sexual about it intrigued her. Mostly the lack of demand on his part was intriguing. “Why not?”
    “I travel forty-eight weeks out of the year. Lisa has always wanted a family right down to the picturesque house with two kids running around. She needs a husband who will be there day in and day out.”
    “And you think she’s found him in Toby?”
    “Definitely.”
    “Then where’s he been during all the meetings I’ve had with her?”
    “Taking extra shifts at the hospital. Basically he’s banking favors so when the major wedding stuff hits he’s got plenty of chips to trade in with the other docs.”
    “But these plans—”
    “Are nothing compared to what they’ll be dealing with when all their family starts coming into town,” Dewayne pointed out. “And every time she’s had an appointment with someone in your company they’ve huddled together that night on the couch to go over the plans.”
    Misty chuckled. The indecisive bride suddenly didn’t seem so indecisive. “Is that why we’ve all had so many appointments with her?”
    “Yeah.”
    “And your role today?”
    “Company. I was in town and it was an excuse to see her.” With a curve of his lips his demeanor changed from regular guy talking about a friend to the flirt he’d been in the office. He traced a finger from Misty’s elbow to her wrist and back again. His eyes glimmered with interest. “And I got to meet you. If I’m really lucky I’ll talk you into a late-night coffee.”
    “And by coffee you mean sex.” Misty smiled. If she hadn’t just been attacked that morning, and if he was in town for more than a couple of days, she might have entertained the idea. Her belly knotted. He was too transient. She was too raw.
    “Of course he means sex,” a hard voice ground out behind her.
    Dewayne’s hand froze on her arm. He glanced over her shoulder and swallowed. She didn’t have to look to know who it was. Despite the disapproval snapping in his tone a feeling of security enshrouded her. “Jace Nichols.”
    “Misty Morgan.” He stepped around so she could see him. “I see this morning taught you nothing.”
    Unfounded intimacies hovered, hinted at a deeper meaning than Jace’s actual words. Dewayne removed his hand from her arm and paid close attention to his drink. Jace’s skill at projecting menace to one person and security to another was eerie. And arousing.
    Misty shifted on the stool and confronted Jace. She didn’t want to have the attack broadcast to everyone, especially a client’s confidante, but neither would she allow this man to degrade her.
    “I’ll be right back,” she said to Dewayne before she walked to the hall leading toward the restrooms and a party room.
    Halfway into the hall Jace grabbed her arm and pulled her into the back room. “You should have learned your lesson.”
    “What is that supposed to mean?” She jerked free.
    “You wear those short skirts. It’s no wonder I had to pull your ass from the flames this morning.” The left side of his nose twitched in disgust. “Here you are again in another short skirt and tight jacket allowing a man to lay hands on you.”
    “Jace.” She interrupted him with a calm that would evaporate quickly if he didn’t stop.
    “You invite the attention of men, no matter what their intentions.”
    “Jace,” she said again. “You need to stop. Now.”
    “You toss that hair back and bat your eyes and men beg you to join them in bed.”
    This man was arrogance personified. His attitude had her ready to fight, but it didn’t turn her off. Some warped part of her liked that he was ranting about her