Read Online A Night of Southern Comfort by Robin Covington - Free Book Online Page B

but to give her what she asked. Biting back a curse he moved back and stood by helplessly as she closed and locked the door.
    He’d totally fucked this up. Her history told him she wouldn’t react well to a man trying to control her life, and in the heat of the moment he’d ruined whatever progress he’d made on getting her cooperation. She’d been really scared before. Now, she was mad and defensive. Back at square one.
    Shit.
    He looked down, his eye noting an object lying on the ground. He knelt down and picked it up—the condom—shiny wrapper intact. Without her warmth and the taste of her mouth, it didn’t take long for his common sense to return. He worked for her father. This was a job. He had no right to touch her, much less have sex with her. Clearly, he hadn’t learned one fucking thing from the disaster formerly known as his career.
    Now, it was time to get back to work.
    Jack hit the first speed dial on his phone. He waited through two rings before Lucky answered, laughing, and clearly not alone. It looked like no one was getting laid tonight.
    “Lucky, get your ass over to Kayla’s as soon as you can. The asshole was here but he got away.”
    “Shit. Jack, are you all right?”
    “Yeah. I’m fine. Just get over here. No lights. I don’t want her to see us out here.”
    As he ended the call, a light in an upstairs window cast a spotlight on him. Jack stepped deeper into the shadows, looking up to see Kayla framed perfectly by the old architecture. Her golden hair gleamed briefly under the lights and then disappeared behind the lowered blinds.
    The moment needed something—a benediction for the future she so desperately wanted. He was never a poet or a praying man, so he settled on basic Southern hospitality. “Welcome to Elliott. I hope you’re happy here.”

Chapter Five
     
    Holy crap. Teague Elliott thought this was a date.
    Michaela had convinced herself that his dinner invitation was merely a courtesy extended to a client, but when he’d shown up at her office with flowers her belly flopped with unease.
    Teague was attentive, charming, intelligent, and very handsome. His chestnut brown hair and hazel eyes were everything any woman would want focused on her with romantic intent. Every woman but Michaela. She desperately tried to concentrate on what he was saying while simultaneously wondering how she could tactfully turn him down without making every future meeting extremely awkward.
    It didn’t help that everyone in the diner was looking at her, including the man she couldn’t stop thinking about—Jackson. Since the fiasco on her front porch, she’d suffered two distracted days and long, restless nights. What happened wasn’t his fault. She’d overreacted to his offer, but she couldn’t let him come to her rescue. Her brain knew she should stay away from him but her body wasn’t listening. And now, Jackson was sitting in what she foolishly thought of as “their booth.” His dark eyes were hot, but his face gave away no information on what was going on in his head.
    “…and I think that a trip to The Homestead would be a perfect romantic weekend for you and Jack.”
    “What?” Michaela stared at her dinner companion. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
    Teague’s smile widened and showcased the killer cleft in his strong chin. “I said that you and Jack should spend a romantic weekend together.” He chuckled and leaned back in his chair with a self-satisfied smile. “I know you’re the woman he spent the night with in Roanoke.”
    “Did he tell you?” She flicked a quick glance around the room. Most folks were openly gawking. She almost invited them to join her so they wouldn’t risk straining their necks attempting to eavesdrop.
    “No. He didn’t have to.” Teague dipped his head. “I was a groomsman at the same wedding as Jack. I knew who you were the moment I saw you in the bar that night.”
    “How?”
    “I live in DC.” He took a sip from his glass of iced