Read Online Blue Twilight by MAGGIE SHAYNE - Free Book Online Page A

head.”
    â€œI’ve got news for you, Lou. It’s not your head she’s firing at.” She studied him, tilted her head to one side. “How do you feel about her, anyway?”
    â€œHow do I… feel about her?” He shrugged, averting his eyes. “I like her. I’ve always liked her.”
    â€œAs a friend?”
    He shrugged. “More like a guardian.” Stormy’s eyebrows shot up so high he thought he must have shocked her, so he tried to explain. “I always feel as if she needs looking after, you know? She tends to just charge headlong, straight into trouble, without thinking first.”
    â€œSo you see yourself as her…protector.”
    â€œThat’s one way to put it. Sure.”
    â€œLike a big brother,” Stormy said.
    â€œMore like an uncle. I’m too old to be her brother.”
    Stormy put a hand on his shoulder. “Lou, she doesn’t want you to be her uncle. You do realize that, don’t you?”
    He frowned at her. “Oh, come on. You’re not telling me you take all her teasing and flirting seriously, are you?”
    â€œDon’t you?”
    â€œNot on your life. She’s half my age.”
    â€œTwenty-six is not half of forty-four.”
    â€œClose enough.”
    â€œThat’s bullshit. What’s the real issue here, Lou?”
    He met her eyes, then had to avert his because she was probing a little too deeply. “This is getting kind of personal, Stormy. If you don’t mind…”
    â€œNope. Don’t mind a bit. I’m going up to bed, but I’m setting my alarm. I want us to get an early start.” She picked up his bag and swung it into his chest. “And justin case you didn’t notice, Lou, there’s room in this office for another desk. Hell, that spot over there almost looks bare without one. Don’t you think?”
    He looked where she was looking, at a large, vacant section of the room. “You’ll find something to put there.”
    â€œOr some one . ’Night, Lou.”
    â€œGood night.”
    She left. Lou didn’t waste a hell of a lot of time wondering where she got her crazy ideas. Instead, he wandered through the vast house, crossing the dramatic formal dining room, heading all the way to the kitchen in the rear of the mansion. Maxie was sitting on a stool at the pink marble island, scarfing down a slice of cold pizza. For a second he marveled that anyone could look as good as she did while chewing. And then he stared a little longer, mentally contrasting her with her wisp of a sister. Where Morgan was whisper-thin, Max was curvy. He didn’t often allow himself to think about her breasts, but they were nice ones. Full, rounded, bouncy. Her waist was little, and the curve of her hips just right. She had a round backside that filled out a pair of jeans in the nicest possible way. Her skin was pink, and her hair thick and riotously curly.
    Her attitude matched her looks. She was feisty, impulsive, fun-loving, restless.
    Stormy was right. Two women couldn’t be more different.
    She turned and caught him looking, swallowed her latest mouthful and sent him a smile.
    â€œI’m going to get some sleep,” he said. “I’ll check the locks before I go up, make sure the place is all buttoned up. Thought I’d say good night.”
    She eyed the bag in his hand. “So you meant what you said to Jason on the phone? You’re sticking with us for this one?”
    â€œLooks like.”
    â€œI’m so glad.” She hooked her foot around the stool next to her own and pulled it out. “Sit. You want a piece?”
    â€œNo thanks, I’ve had enough pizza.”
    â€œWho said I was talking about pizza?” She sent him her trademark smile, full of mischief and danger.
    He sighed, nodded. “Fine. I’ll sit. I need to talk to you, anyway.”
    â€œâ€™Bout what?” she asked.
    He sighed as he