Redeem My Heart Read Free Page A

seat. She surprised him when she turned and started to walk toward his bedroom, all the while keeping up with the conversation. The way her black pantsuit sculpted her waist and then encased her ass was a pleasant repast. “Trust me, no one knows I’m here with the exception of Gavin Crest and that’s only because I needed confirmation. I’m surprised by your lack of faith in my abilities.”
    “Confirmation of my whereabouts?” Ryland had nothing of value that Fallon could uncover inside of his bedroom, but he couldn’t stem his curiosity on what she might be looking for. He wouldn’t allow her to know that, so he raised his voice so that she could hear him. “You’ve hurt my feelings, Ms. Canna. Here I thought you were given briefings by your agency on a daily basis.”
    “You mean something other than the updates on your condo?” Fallon’s voice drifted through the doorway. “I have to admit, the Brazilian cherry hardwood floor is a nice touch, as well as the dark hues of the quartz countertops. The earth tones of the fresh paint top off the masculine style I assume you are going for. I did find it odd that you had another case of your Crown Royal XR delivered so soon after the last order. I would think you were self-medicating with your favorite liquor if I didn’t know you better. I’m sure they’re putting together a medical panel to study the potential outcome of that scenario.”
    Ryland was losing his sense of humor at Fallon’s ill-timed wittiness. He refused to rise to her bait, recognizing that she was still trying to fit him into one of her predetermined psychobabble molds. They’d spoke at lengths of her profiling job for the federal government back when he’d been in custody, but he refused to be one of her pedestrian subjects. He prided himself on being unique and she wouldn’t be successful at her attempts to make him into something he wasn’t.
    “Make no mistake,” Ryland countered, ensuring that his warning came through loud and clear. “You’ll never truly know who I am, but that could be rectified…on a physical level, of course.”
    Ryland had waited to tack on that last sentence until Fallon finally appeared in the doorway. She had a pair of his Italian designer dress pants in her hand, which happened to turn white at the knuckles. She wanted his body covered, signifying that her mind wasn’t exactly on professional thoughts. He’d succeeded in turning the tables and now he needed to keep the advantage.
    “You see, I already know everything I need to about you.” Ryland leisurely started walking Fallon’s way, noticing the way her lips had parted. They were perfectly outlined in a sensual shade of rouge that begged to be kissed. “Shall I enlighten you with the profile I’ve drafted? Female, age thirty-seven, workaholic with enough ambition to have caught the attention of her superiors. Does her daughterly duty by calling her parents every Sunday at seventeen hundred hours, keeps herself fit by running five clicks every morning, and only eats between the hours of eleven hundred and nineteen hundred hours. Said female does enjoy the company of an occasional male companion, but hasn’t done so in quite awhile. Now why is that, do you think?”
    Fallon shoved his pants against his chest as she walked past him on her way back to the kitchen without a word. She hadn’t always been this easy to rile, and it was apparent that she didn’t appreciate his insight into her personal life. What could he say, really? Ryland had a lot of time on his hands. He wasn’t quite ready for her to leave, and since he’d yet to be told the reason of her visit he stepped into his pants.
    “Has anyone tried contacting you?” Fallon asked, grabbing the mug he’d brought down for her. She pulled out the pot and then inserted her cup, making him wince in distaste. Didn’t she realize that coffee couldn’t be savored unless it was fully brewed? “From your previous list of employers, that