In Bed with Beauty Read Free Page A

she’d done the same thing. This small vulnerability reassured him. She was self-conscious about her legs.
    “Why are you suddenly so defensive?” he asked brushing her hands away from her knees as she reached again for the hem of her skirt. “The fabric isn’t going to get longer.”
    Tugging her hands from under his, she glanced at the door. “Why hasn’t he opened it?”
    “Are you so anxious to escape?” he asked, finally he had the advantage with her and he wasn’t ready to give it up.
    She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and then ran her hands down her torso, straightening the fabric of her floral print skirt. She looked like spring, he realized. “I don’t want to be late for my appointment.”
    He consulted his watch. “You still have ten minutes.”
    “I…damn. You do make me nervous,” she said at last.
    Now we’re getting somewhere he thought. Though she’d seemed different than other women, she wasn’t really. He hadn’t discovered her secrets, had barely scratched the surface but that comment made him realize he could find out what made her tick. “That’s the last thing I want you to feel around me.”
    “Then stop looking at my legs.”
    The feisty woman was back. He liked the facets of Sarah. “I can’t help it.”
    Ray opened the door. “Sorry about that. Someone asked for directions.”
    Harris nodded.
    Sarah slid out of the car with a smooth motion, full of feminine grace. He liked her, more than he’d care to admit even to himself. But then Harris had been focused on business for too long. Maybe that explained the lust that had been riding him since she’d entered the car and he’d caught a glimpse of her backside.
    Harris decided it was a good thing she was leaving now. He needed to regain his perspective and get back to business.
    “Thanks for the ride,” she said.
    “You’re welcome.”
    She bit her lower lip, then reached into her purse and pulled out a business card holder. “Here’s my card. Drop by my restaurant anytime for a complimentary meal.”
    “That’s not necessary,” Harris said.
    “It is to me. I don’t like to be in anyone’s debt.”
    She turned to Ray and handed him a card as well. “Please come by some time.”
    She didn’t wait for an answer but just turned and walked away. They both watched her leave. Harris more disturbed than he’d been in a long time. She rocked him from his safe moorings and he knew only one thing for certain. No way was he going to her restaurant.

Two

    T wo days later, Sarah was still thinking about Harris. Taste of Home, Sarah’s restaurant, was known for its charming warmth, good food and friendly staff. Still, she had trouble making ends meet.
    Mr. Tucker, her banker, had denied her expansion loan. Rumor had it her strip mall had been sold and the new owners were tearing it down to build one of those newly popular outdoor malls. Honestly, who wanted to shop outdoors in Florida? It was hot or rainy most of the time.
    On top of everything else she didn’t need this problem. All her life she’d thought she wanted to be a wife and mother. Raising her siblings had been challenging but now that they were almost launched into the world, she realized there were other things she wanted for herself. The only problem was she had yet to figure out what those they were.
    She had enough trouble with the restaurant’s financial state to keep her occupied, but that didn’t stop her mind from wandering to Harris.
    Situated a block from International Drive in the heart of Orlando’s theme park district, her restaurant had a hard time competing with the big chains. Locals didn’t want to fight the tourist traffic and tourists were reluctant to give her a try. Though lately, the concierge desks of several hotels were recommending her restaurant to their guests. She’d been schmoozing the hotel employees with free meals and it was paying off.
    Tonight’s crowd had been light but steady. Not bad considering that October