After Midnight Read Free

more bravado than courage.
    â€œPoint taken.” He eased the pressure of his arm around her and went the last few steps up to the deck under his own power. He stopped, holding his head and breathing deliberately, for a few seconds.
    â€œI could do with a cup of coffee,” he said after a minute.
    â€œSo could I.” She eased him through the sliding glass doors and into the kitchen, watching him lower his huge frame into a chair at the kitchen table. “Are you going to be all right?”
    â€œI’m sure that I’m tough as nails normally.” He rested his elbows on the clean surface of the oak table and held his head in his hands. “Do you often find strange men washed up on your beach?”
    â€œYou’re my first,” she replied. “But considering the size of you, I’m hoping for an ocean liner tomorrow.”
    He lifted an eyebrow at her as she busied herself filling the drip coffeemaker.
    â€œHave you lived here long?” he asked, making conversation.
    â€œWe’ve had the place a few years.”
    â€œWe?”
    â€œThe, um…man who lives here and I,” she replied noncommittally. It wouldn’t do to tell him she was single and on her own. “He normally drives down on Friday evenings,” she lied.
    He didn’t seem to register the information. Perhaps he didn’t know what day it was.
    â€œToday is Friday,” she said, just in case. “My friend is very nice, you’ll like him.” She glanced over her shoulder at him. “Any nausea yet? Drowsiness?”
    â€œI haven’t got concussion,” he replied tersely. “I’m not sure how I know that I’d recognize the symptoms. Perhaps I’ve had it before.”
    â€œPerhaps you haven’t.” She picked up the telephone and dialed.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” he asked curtly.
    â€œPhoning a friend. He’s a doctor. I want to…Hello, Chad?” she said when the person answered. “I’ve just rescued a swimmer who was suffering from a bang on the head. He’s conscious and very lucid,” she added with a meaningful glare at her houseguest. “But he won’t let me call an ambulance. Could you stop by here when you get back from the golf course and just reassure me that he isn’t going to drop dead on my floor.”
    Chad Holman laughed. “Sure. No sweat. Let me ask you a couple of questions.”
    He did and she fielded them to her guest, who replied reluctantly.
    â€œI think he’ll do until I get there,” Chad reassured her. “But if he drops off and you can’t wake him or if he has any violent vomiting, call the ambulance anyway.”
    â€œWill do. Thanks.”
    â€œAny time.”
    She hung up, feeling relieved now that she had a professional opinion on her guest’s condition. “Well, I don’t want any dead bodies in my living room, especially not one I can’t even drag!” she informed him mischievously.
    He scowled at her. “Dead bodies. Dead…” He shook his head irritably. “I keep getting flashes, but I can’t grasp anything! Damn it!”
    â€œThe coffee’s almost ready. Maybe a jolt of caffeine will start your brain working again,” she suggested.
    She perched on a stool at the counter, her long bare legs drawing his eyes. She glared at him.
    â€œDon’t get any ideas about why you’re here, if you please,” she said, her voice soft but vaguely menacing just the same.
    â€œDon’t worry. I’m absolutely sure that I don’t like green-eyed women,” he returned shortly. He sat back in the chair with a rough sigh and shifted, one big hand idly rubbing the thick hair on his chest. He made her very self-conscious and nervous. He looked aggressively masculine, whether he was or not. She fidgeted.
    â€œI can find you something to put on, if you like,” she said after a minute.
    â€œThat would