Nathan's Vow Read Free

the enchilada and chili stand across the parking lot of the strip shopping
center.  But she had the feeling when she returned, he'd still be waiting, and
not quite so patiently.
    A group of teenagers on
roller-blades skated by, one of them holding a miniature schnauzer on a leash. 
She smiled at the sight, something she'd probably never see in Deep River.  But her smile slipped as she spotted the handsome, very sexy man walking
toward her, and an excited little shiver zipped up her spine.  At least
six-two, lean and fit, with long legs that quickly covered the distance between
them, he was the type of man who could attract a roomful of women without
trying.  It wasn't only his looks but his confidence, his dominating male
presence.
    When he stood before her, he asked,
"Can I buy you supper?"
    "If I hadn't mentioned my
break, you would have waited till I quit for the day.  Right?"
    "Yes."
    "Mr. Bradley..."
    "Nathan.  You have to eat
supper. I have to eat supper.  Is  there any reason we shouldn't talk while we
do?"
    "You have an ulterior motive. 
This won't be much of a break for me."
    "It's not an ulterior motive
because you know what I want."
    "Obviously, I need to watch
what I say with you," she murmured.
    The corners of his mouth twitched
up.  "Is that a yes or no?"
    "If I say no, you'll be back. 
Let's get this over with."
    The curve of his lips turned into a
frown, indicating he was uncomfortable with her frankness.  Gillian's gaze
wanted to linger on those lips.  They were full enough to be sensual, narrow
enough to enhance the handsome aesthetics of his face.  She could imagine one
of his kisses--dominating, forceful, passion-filled.
    The image startled her.  She hadn't
thought about kissing a man in over a year--since Brian had decided to
reconcile with his ex-wife.  She'd not only lost Brian but his son, too.  At
the time she'd thought her heart would break.  But she'd buried herself in her
work until she'd realized she no longer had a life outside of her work.  Not
eating, not sleeping, working twenty hours a day was a one-way road to
disaster.  Thank goodness she'd recognized her destructive direction in time.
    "I don't know what you have in
mind," she said, "but the chili and enchiladas are good at that stand
over there."
    Nathan perused the truck/restaurant
set-up near an island with palm trees and benches.  "I haven't had an
enchilada in..."  He shrugged.  "Too long."
    They walked side by side for a few
moments, Nathan slowing his stride to Gillian's.  The breeze ruffled his hair,
making him look less formal and imposing.  She thought he'd start making his
case for her help, but he didn't.
    His arm brushed hers, his suitcoat
rough against her skin.  "Have you always done manicures for a
living?"
    She registered the texture of the
material, the strength of his arm, and her heart jumped at the contact.  Managing
a smile, she responded, "Would you believe I have a degree in
business?"
    "Neither seems appropriate for
a psychic."
    Her smile faded.  "And what
does?  Theater arts?"
    He stopped and faced her. 
"Okay.  I stuck my foot in it.  I didn't mean to insult you.  But all this
is strange to me.  I'm a logical man.  I make decisions and judgments from
facts.  I've always thought psychics were frauds.  But my private investigator
told me about crimes you've solved and people you've found.  Even if I don't
believe in it or understand it, what you do works."
    "I don't understand it,
either," she said quietly.
    Nathan had been fascinated by the
woman since he'd set his eyes on her.  Looking at her now, her soft, long hair,
those wonderful brown eyes, her slender curves wrapped in a pink cullotte dress
with a white collar and lapels, his muscles tightened and he felt pangs of
arousal.
    Crazy.  That usually didn't happen
simply from looking.
    Her soft voice, her calm wonder,
urged him to step closer, to find out more about her.  "Tell me about it. 
Were you born with this