A Touch Of Frost Read Free Page A

physique. “I grew up in a racing family. My father rode in the MotoGP until he retired and my brother currently rides in the Moto2 circuit.”
    “Roland. Wow. You’re Mark Roland’s daughter?”
    “You’re a racing fan?” She’d had more than one guy ask her out because of who her father was. At least she knew Jack hadn’t had a clue before now. Or he was a great actor and he’d just given an academy worthy performance.
    “Are you kidding? You don’t need to be a fan to know Mark Roland. I’d be remiss as an Australian if I didn’t know his name and what he was famous for. Not many of our countrymen dominate in world sports, motor or otherwise, the way he did for over a decade.”
    “Good point.” Elle unfolded her arms and reached for her backpack. “For a while my mother wondered if he’d ever stop collecting trophies. She always said we needed a second house just to store them all.”
    “Didn’t he clean-sweep three straight Grand Prix seasons?”
    “Sure did.” She pulled her jacket from her bag. “So where are you taking me for dinner?”
    “There’s this little Italian place around the corner from me. Family run. Best food on the planet.” Jack stepped forward and helped her into her jacket. “I’m over in the parking garage. Is that where you are or do you have staff parking somewhere else?”
    “We park in the garage. What level are you on? Staff has level one reserved.” She zipped up her jacket.
    “Want me to take your bag?” Jack indicated the backpack Elle was slipping her arms into.
    She arched one eyebrow.
    “Right. Sorry. Stupid question. You do this every day.” He smiled sheepishly.
    The man really was cute when he was flustered. Elle took pity on him. “Thanks for offering. But you’re right. I do this every day. Twice.” She smiled up at him. He was at least a foot taller than her and standing this close their height difference was almost comical. He’d get a crick in his neck if he tried to kiss her. Not that she should be thinking about him kissing her.
    “Of course you do. Obviously I wasn’t thinking when I made that offer.” He stepped towards the door. “Should I give you the address of the restaurant? It’s literally around the corner from my place so I was going to park at home and walk…”
    Before Elle even knew she was going to speak words were flying out of her mouth. “Give me your address. I’ll meet you there and we can walk together.”
    Jack grinned and heat bloomed in her lower belly. In that instant Elle knew she’d have to be extra careful around him. She wasn’t the type to fall into bed with a guy she’d just met, but with Jack she suspected he’d have her breaking every one of her dating rules.
    Willingly.
    * * *
    Jack lost sight of Elle within minutes of leaving the parking lot. She easily wove her way through the congested Sydney traffic while he was stuck in the long line of cars inching their way to destinations unknown. When he hit the motorway, he resisted the urge to flatten the accelerator to the floor and break the speed limit to get home quicker. The last thing he wanted was to be pulled over by a cop.
    Thirty minutes after pulling out of the parking garage, Jack turned onto his street and took his first easy breath since Elle had disappeared from view. He didn’t see her bike when he pulled into his driveway, but she was there, sitting on his top step. Jack switched off the engine and got out.
    “Where’s your bike?” He took long, quick strides towards the house.
    She got to her feet and brushed her hands over her denim-covered arse. “At my place.”
    Jack dragged his gaze up her torso. She’d changed out of her work clothes into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt that hugged her body like skin. She might be small, but the woman definitely had curves on her. “Huh?”
    Elle laughed. “Eyes up here, Jack.”
    He shook his head, something he needed to do a lot around this woman. “Sorry. You’re in different clothes.”