Read Online Beauty and the Wolf by Lois Faye Dyer - Free Book Online Page A

a lot of rain the last couple of days. I want to make sure there’s no flooding.” He took his jacket from the back of the chair and shrugged into it.
    Cornelia rose, collecting the tea tray. “It was lovely to see you, Eli—stop by again soon.”
    â€œI will, Cornelia, thank you.”
    Her slim figure disappeared into the front hall.
    Eli held out his hand, and Frankie put her fingers in his, letting him pull her to her feet. He slung an arm over her shoulders, tucking her against his side, and walked her toward the outside door.
    â€œI hope you don’t mind my dropping by without calling. But when Justin told me you were spending the afternoon with your mom, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to return your earring and spend a little time reinforcing Cornelia’s belief that we’re a couple.”
    â€œI don’t mind at all—I’m glad you stopped by. I confess I don’t like keeping the truth from Mom. The only thing that makes me feel okay about deceiving her is that I know she’d be the first to join us if she knew Harry was meddling again.”
    â€œI suspect you’re right about Cornelia. But the more people who know about our plan, the more difficult it would be to keep it a secret from Harry, I’m afraid.”
    Frankie sighed. “I’m sure you’re right.”
    He stopped at the door, turning to face her, his back to the screen and glass and the gray rain outside.
    â€œYou don’t have to take me to the movie tonight, Eli. Mom will never know.”
    He lifted an eyebrow. “Are you kidding? Hanging out with you is one of the perks of this scam. Besides, it’s always more fun to watch a movie with someone. Then later you can go over the good parts, or, if it’s a bad film, you can commiserate and complain about all the lousy acting and special effects.”
    â€œAh, I see. So it’s not that you want my company,” she teased, inordinately pleased that she’d see him later, “it’s that you want someone to compare opinions with after the credits roll.”
    He laughed. “You’ve caught me, that’s part of it.” He bent his head to whisper in her ear. “Your mom is standing at the kitchen sink. If she looks sideways, she can see us. Want to give her something to tell Harry?”
    â€œOkay.” Frankie nodded, her heartbeat beginning to race as his mouth curved in a slow smile at her assent.
    He slipped his arms around her waist and eased her nearer, lifting her up on her toes as his head bent.
    Warm, seductive, his mouth coaxed hers to respond. Frankie clutched his biceps, her head spinning as the world narrowed to the hard body she leaned against and Eli’s lips on hers.
    The kiss only lasted a moment. Too soon, Eli lifted his head, easing her back off her toes.
    â€œI’ll pick you up at seven,” he murmured, blue eyes darkened to navy.
    She nodded, unable to gather her wits and form a sentence.
    He bent, his lips brushing against the sensitive shell of her ear. “And, Frankie, kissing you is one of the best parts of this scheme.”
    Frankie felt her eyes widen. Then he shoved the door open behind him and, with a quick grin, left her. The door closed on his back as he loped down the sidewalk. Moments later, his pickup truck accelerated away from the curb.
    He’s right, she thought, still faintly dazed. Kissing is definitely one of the perks of having Eli pretend to be my boyfriend.
    Â 
    Eli arrived at Frankie’s condo that evening and within a short half hour, they’d reached the Pacific Place and were settled into comfortable seats in a row near the back of the theater. He held her coat while she slipped out of it before handing her the container of popcorn.
    â€œThis is a lot of popcorn for only two people,” she said, eyeing the bucket dubiously.
    â€œI like popcorn. Trust me.” He winked at her. “It won’t last