Expecting His Secret Heir Read Free

security for the Blackstones—”
    She smiled. “Wow. That’s really great. Going from maintenance to head of security is a big jump.”
    He knew he shouldn’t, but he said it anyway. “I’m not head of security for the mill. I handle security details for the entire family and all of their interests. I run my own security firm.” Bragging did not come easily to him. Not that he’d ever had much to brag about. But somehow it felt good to rub his success in Sadie’s face.
    He wasn’t the same man she’d met then—recently returned from combat in the Middle East, fighting the nightmares while maintaining a strong facade for the women in his family he’d spent a lifetime supporting.
    Then one night he’d let her in, and he wished she’d never seen that side of him.
    â€œUntil we can get a good look inside and evaluate the damage, the mill is a huge security risk. So the Blackstones have asked me to oversee this initial part of the investigation.”
    â€œI heard it was a bomb.”
    He nodded. Yep. A bomb set off by a crazy man.
    â€œAny suspects?”
    It was a natural question. Simple curiosity. So why did his muscles tense when she asked?
    â€œYes, but that information is not being released to the public.”
    The words came out in a more formal tone than he would have normally used, but it was all for the best. Keeping their distance meant keeping himself sane. Instead of leaning in to see if her hair smelled the same as it did before.
    He did not need to know that.
    He eyed the bright waves dancing around her shoulders. He definitely didn’t need to know.
    â€œSo it would be better to stay away from there right now.” And away from me, so all these emotions will respond to my control. “Wait until we can guarantee it’s safe.”
    â€œIn the parking lot?”
    â€œRight.” He didn’t care if she wasn’t buying it. A man had to do...
    Suddenly realizing he’d accomplished nothing but torturing himself during this visit, he stalked back to the door. Unfortunately, she followed, until she was within arm’s reach. He was too far away from the door to escape.
    It all flooded back—all the memories he’d struggled to hold at bay since that first moment he’d seen her again at the mill. The way his heart pounded when she laughed. The way her soft voice soothed his nerves as she told him a story. The way his body rose to meet the demands of hers.
    So many things he couldn’t force himself to forget.
    But he could force himself to walk away this time. “I’ll be seeing you, Sadie,” he said, as casually as he could.
    She pulled the door open and smiled. “Definitely.”
    Something about her tone, that confident edge, ruffled him, pushed him to throw her off balance. He couldn’t stop himself. He stopped in front of her, bending in low to place his mouth near her ear. He sucked in a deep breath. “So...” he said, letting the word stretch, “aren’t you gonna tell me why you really left?”
    Her gasp left him satisfied...for now.

Two
    S adie’s entire body instantly snapped to attention. She might not have moved, but every nerve ending was now awake and focused on the man before her.
    She hadn’t thought he’d directly address her leaving. Indeed, he’d seemed to do everything but ask the all-important question: Why? She’d thought she was prepared. Her flippant answer rattled around in her brain for a moment, but she couldn’t force it out.
    Instead she stared up into his brooding dark eyes and lost her breath. She’d known she would hurt him, leaving like that. He’d never tell her so, but she couldn’t help but wonder if it were true from his somber gaze.
    His body seemed to sway a little closer, and her mouth watered at the thought of his lips on hers once more. Then the trill of her phone broke the moment of