A Place to Call Home Read Online Free Page B

down at her cradled in his arms, he discovered she looked so fragile. “Saving your ass once again for today, looks like. Think you can manage to avoid a third time? I’m pretty beat.”
     
    She wore the denim shorts and white tee that had had driven him wild at lunch. The outfit showcased the curve of her ass and her perky breasts, the nipples erect thanks to the air conditioning in the restaurant. Damn, how he had tried not to get caught eyeing her tits and ass. However, his gaze, ruled by his dick, had had a mind of its own and had taken every opportunity to sneak a peek at her sexy body.
     
    Mac placed her onto the passenger seat, secured her seatbelt, and stretched across her to turn the AC all the way up. Opening his lunch pail in the back seat, he retrieved a cold water bottle.
     
    “Here. Drink slowly, honey,” he said in a soothing voice, while holding the bottle to her dry lips.
     
    She followed his instructions and took a sip. He forced the bottle into her hands and stepped back.
     
    “Don’t guzzle the water or you’ll puke. As thirsty as you are, you have to drink slowly. Okay?”
     
    “My purse. It’s on the front seat,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.
     
    “Wait here. I’ll get it.” His knuckles brushed over her cheek briefly. “You okay, Hannah? I know it’s a stupid question, but you didn’t hit your head or anything, did you?”
     
    “Yeah, I think so. No need to play doctor again. Don’t worry.”
     
    He stopped and stared, the image of removing her clothes to gently inspect her body giving him an instant hard on. With his hand, he discreetly adjusted his dick but achieved minimal comfort.
     
    “Smart ass,” he said, unable to tear his gaze from the emerald irises staring back.
     
    Slowly, the frightened look finally disappeared, replaced with wariness. “What the hell is your name anyways?” she suddenly asked with heat.
     
    The simple demand brought a sigh of relief since this feisty woman now matched the one he remembered. He offered a slight grin. “Mac.”
     
    “That’s not a name. I remember something else from your bid. Began with an A.”
     
    He hesitated then said, “Austin MacDevin.”
     
    “Ah. So Mac’s just a nickname.”
     
    He shrugged. “Has been for years. Now can I get your things so I can get you the hell out of this heat?”
     
    She answered by allowing her head to loll back against the seat, and Mac shut the truck door.
     
    When he climbed back in the truck, Hannah looked better, no longer red and flushed. He handed over her purse then cranked the engine and swerved onto the road. “I called a tow. Should be here soon. Secured your vehicle and left the keys on the front tire.”
     
    “Not like it’s going anywhere,” she complained.
     
    He dialed his cell. “Aidan, order pizza for dinner. Tell Ray to deliver the pizza to the house and I’ll stop by tomorrow to pay him. Yeah, something came up. Warn your brothers I’m in no mood for fighting tonight, so when I get home everyone better be behaving. Got it?” He remained silent for a minute. “I’ll make a deal with you, son. I’m taking care of something very important. If you can take care of things for me with dinner and all, we’ll talk about you going to Catherine’s when I get home. Shouldn’t be more than two hours.” He disconnected and dared to look at Hannah. “How you holding up?”
     
    “Fine.”
     
    “Don’t lie to me, sweetheart.”
     
    She faced him, green eyes glaring through slits.
     
    “I said how you holding up?”
     
    “I’m tired. But I’ll survive. You do a good job at rescuing me, Mac.”
     
    “That I do.” He glanced at her slender frame sagged in the seat. “One thing you’ll learn is heat stroke can hit you quick around here.”
     
    Mac stopped in front of a small brick building, turned off the ignition, and jumped from the truck to rush to Hannah’s door.
     
    “Where are we?” she asked, her voice sounding