Undercover Heat Read Online Free Page A

it?”
    “Got it.” Ty shoved his hands in his pockets.
    “This is Thursday, so that gives you a five day weekend. My suggestion is that you two get reacquainted. Go get some burgers or coffee or something.”
    Earl didn’t wait for a response. Instead, he stormed out the door, pulling a pill bottle from his breast pocket as he went. Carrie moved to follow, but Ty grabbed her arm. “Where do you think you’re going?”
    “To get him some water for his pill, and then I’m heading home.”
    “How about you leave him alone and worry about yourself for a minute?” His careful tone had returned. Soft. Warm. Irresistible. “Grab your things,” he said. “How about if we head to the diner a few blocks down. Talk.”
    “Ty-”
    “Come on, Carrie, please? For Earl?”
    His breath hit her already heated cheek, and by God if she didn’t feel herself swoon. “Fine,” she heard herself say as she flipped her scarf ove r her head. “I’ll go for Earl.”

 
    Chapter Two
     
    The noontime traffic was thick as usual. Clouds of exhaust and the stench of diesel mingled with the damp promise of snow. A noxious concoction that was classic winter in New York City . They predicted a decent snowfall overnight, and by the swirl of the clouds converging above that the storm would move in earlier than Carrie had planned. She cursed. It was a good two-hour ride back home, and she wanted to make it in the daylight. North Country white-outs were doubly nasty in the dark.
    Her heels were unsteady on the slushy pavement, so she made sure to walk just out of Ty’s reach. A painful tumble into oncoming traffic would be preferable to having his hands anywhere on her, breaking a fall. She maintained the distance until she hopped the curb in front of Hoggins Diner. He moved in front of her to hold open the door. Ever the southern gentleman, he had impeccable matters. Although she noticed earlier at the studio that he lost his accent.
    When they stepped inside, Ty kicked the snow from his borrowed sneakers. Somehow the move attracted every eye in the place. The clanking of silverware and coffee cups ceased. Lunchtime chatter dulled to silence.
    “What happened to indifferent New Yorkers?” Carrie said through the side of her mouth. “I thought they were used to seeing celebrities out in public.”
    “Wouldn’t that be nice,” Ty said. “I thought I’d be pretty incognito looking like this.”
    She lifted her gaze and assessed his newly donned baseball cap and a few-days-old beard. High profile celebrity or not, possibly he drew attention simply because he was that good looking.
    “There, behind that plant.” He gestured toward a vacant booth on the back wall. Pulling the “Bama” cap farther down over his eyes, he nudged her through the sea of patrons. On her way past, Carrie glanced at the clock over the counter. “I know the snow is coming,” he said in her ear. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you’re out of here in plenty of time.”
    Ty slid into the booth across from her. He took off his hat and raked his hand through his hair before jamming the thing back on. A nervous habit of his. Good. At least she wasn’t the only uptight one. “Again, I’m sorry about the audience,” he said. “I really thought we’d go unnoticed.”
    Fat chance. Two women giggled over French fries in the next booth. One whipped out a digital camera from her purse and took aim. “God, how can you live like this all the time? Don’t you get sick of it?”
    “I’m used to it by now.” He cocked his head and scratched his chin with his thumb. “Forced myself to get used to it, I guess.
    “Better you than me.”
    “Come on, don’t tell me fans still don’t stop you on the street.”
    “Not in Middle Valley . Up there I’m just the same Carrie Ann who shovels her own driveway and drives an old pickup. Celebrity doesn’t hold much credence.”
    He nodded. “Don’t forget, I grew up in a small town, too. I know what it’s like. And