Read Online Marked by Moonlight by Sharie Kohler - Free Book Online

the roof of the car as Claire fumbled for the right key. “Forget about Cyril. You got a hunka hunka burning man over there ogling you.”
    Claire slid inside the sanctuary of her car, feeling slightly safer now that she could no longer see him or feel his intense gaze. Once Maggie shut her door, Claire hit the lock button. A hysterical laugh bubbled up from the back of her throat. That wouldn’t stop him. Not if he wanted to get to her. He had no problem getting into her apartment, after all.
    â€œNow it makes sense.” Maggie gave a small, knowing laugh.
    Claire started the car and backed out, trying not to notice how her hands shook on the steering wheel. “What does?”
    A car horn blared and she slammed on the brakes. Both women lurched against their seat belts.
    â€œClaire!” Maggie shouted, hands slapping the dashboard.
    Heart hammering, Claire’s gaze flew to the rearview mirror at the car she had almost hit. She waved apologetically at the woman glaring at her through the windshield.
    â€œJesus,” Maggie muttered as the other car drove off in an angry zip. “Now it really makes sense.”
    Once Claire’s heart had resumed a steady beat and they had escaped the parking lot, she was calm enough to ask, “What makes sense?”
    â€œThe clothes, the contacts, the makeup, your asking for the name of my hairdresser.” She counted off on her fingers. “Oh, and the two-car collision we nearly had because you’ve got your head up your ass.”
    Claire sniffed, not appreciating Maggie’s description. “What are you talking about?”
    Maggie nodded thoughtfully, looking so world-wise as she flipped down the visor and checked her heavily applied makeup. “You’re gettin’ some .”
    Claire could only shoot a puzzled sideways glance at her friend, expecting her to finish the rest of her sentence.
    Getting some of what?
    Maggie must have sensed her confusion. “God, you’re dense. You know.” She slapped Claire’s arm good-naturedly. “Some,” she emphasized in heavy, exaggerated tones, waving her hands widely in front of her.
    Understanding dawned, and Claire choked, “I am not!”
    She hadn’t gotten “some” in years. Eight years, actually. Not since Brian—the guy she had thought was her one —dumped her for a forty-eight-year-old waitress, who, according to him, made him feel like a real man .
    â€œWell, then.” Maggie fluttered her hand as if it were a small distinction. “You’re planning on getting some.”
    Claire shook her head, at a loss for words. It occurred to her that Maggie was exactly the type of girl her mother had kept her from hanging out with in school.
    â€œHey, I’m not judging. I’m a firm believer in sex. Just ask any of my ex-husbands. Abstinence is unnatural.”
    Face hot, Claire argued, “Maggie, I’m not—”
    â€œAnd if that fine specimen back there in the Jeep is a candidate, I say go for it.”
    Claire was not planning on getting anything with anyone . Especially not with that lunatic.
    But as she pulled up in front of the bagel shop, she couldn’t help wondering.
    And that was totally unlike her. She simply didn’t wonder about those things. Never had.
    And maybe the more important question was—Why now?

Chapter Five
    Uncharacteristic behavior is a plea for attention; be sensitive to your dog’s needs.
    â€”Man’s Best Friend:
An Essential Guide to Dogs
    C laire dove onto the couch and hunkered low, peeking above the couch’s back to look out the salon’s glass-tinted windows.
    â€œEr, can I help you?”
    She glanced over her shoulder. A young, beautifully coiffed receptionist angled her head and looked at her with startled, blinking eyes.
    Claire turned back to scan the parking lot, dotted with the random assortment of vehicles for a slow Tuesday afternoon, and