A Crazy Kind of Love Read Free

about Lucas Gallagher to know that he was some kind of scientist and knew diddly about building a house.
    But this was the first time she’d seen the caveman side of him.
    She kind of liked it.
    But that was beside the point. “Gonna manhandle a woman because you can’t talk your way out of something?” she taunted. “You know, they say ‘violence is the refuge of the incompetent.’ Actually, I forget who said it.”
    He released her instantly. “
Nobody
said it.”
    “I just did.”
    “That doesn’t count.”
    “Of course it counts,” she said. “But that’s not what you’re mad about anyway, you’re just mad because I’m right about the house.”
    His dark eyes flashed behind the lenses of his glasses, and his jaw muscle twitched as if he were gritting his teeth. “Will you cut it out?”
    He was still furious, but Mike could deal with fury. Anger to an Italian was like a week at a spa. Adrenaline rushed, senses cleared, and blood pumped.
    “You know, I figure I’ve been a heck of a good sport about all of this.”
    “Is that right?” he demanded. “How’s that?”
    “You stole my land, you’re building a house here that isn’t
mine
, and to top it all off, you’re doing it
wrong
.”
    “Your opinion.”
    “Heck, you’re lucky I’ve only been coming around once a week!”
    “Yeah,
lottery
lucky.”
    “Hey, if my sisters and I hadn’t been off dealing with Grace Van Horn’s place all summer, I’d have been here on site every damn day whether you liked it or not.”
    He stared at her, stupefied. “Where do you get off thinking you can just slam into someone’s life and take over?”
    “I’m not trying to take over your
life
.”
    “Just my
house
?”
    “I’m trying to
save
your house. Big difference.”
    “Who asked you?”
    “You didn’t have to ask me, because I’m a fabulous human being.”
    He choked out a laugh.
    “This whole fight started over that stupid balcony, so I can’t even understand why you’re so pissed,” Mike said, trying for a calm she wasn’t really feeling. “Because you don’t know anything about balcony railings.” She lifted one hand and pointed at him. “Oh, and off the subject for a second—just so you know—don’t grab me again unless I
want
you to grab me. Which, by the way, isn’t going to happen.”
    Muttering darkly, he dropped his chin to his chest and sucked in a breath rattled with frustration. Then he blew the breath out again. Lifting his head, he glared at her. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to grab you.”
    “ ’S’okay,” Mike said, “I don’t break that easy.”
    But he wasn’t listening. Shaking his head, he grumbled, “Look what you’re doing to me. I
never
lose my temper. Never. Ask anyone. I’m a
scientist
, for God’s sake.”
    “What’s that got to do with anything?” Mike wondered aloud.
    “I’m a calm, rational man.” His gaze slid back to her and narrowed again. “But for some reason, every time I get around you, I want to—”
    “Punch something?”
    He glared at her. “No.”
    She tipped her head to one side and stared at him. “Too bad. Sometimes it helps. Trust me.”
    “Why would I trust you?” he demanded. “You’re taking over my
house
.”
    “Look, I know you didn’t want the iron railing, but you’ll like it. The Donovans are practically
artists
with wrought iron.” Absently, she patted his arm again. “You’ll thank me later.”
    He looked at her, wild-eyed—then glanced around the empty yard helplessly, as if searching for
someone
to help him deal with her. When he didn’t find a soul, he looked back at her. “You keep saying that.”
    “And will keep right on until this house is finished.”
    “There’s just no chance of getting you to go away, is there?”
    She folded her arms over her chest, cocked her head to one side, and said, “Nope.”
    “I could call the cops. Have you removed.” His face lit up at the thought. “Get a restraining order.”
    Mike smiled slowly.