Read Online Christmas Star (Contemporary, Romance) by Roz Denny Fox - Free Book Online Page A

navy blue, no-nonsense suit she’d selected with an eye to visiting Wanda Manning. It made her look less youthful, more conventional. So did the gray eye shadow.
    In the midst of this brief self-assessment, Starr made up her mind—she would simply return the wallet, saying SeLi had found it. And once he had his wallet back with its contents intact, why should he doubt her story?
    The closer she got to the penthouse, the more her resolve, and her knees, seemed to waver. Twice she reached for the doorbell before finally pressing it. And what would she would say if Vanessa answered? As it turned out, she needn’t have worried. Clay himself appeared at the first ring.
    He’d removed his suit jacket. His shirtsleeves were rolled to the elbows of muscular, suntanned forearms; he clutched a hammer.
    Starr winced. She’d just as soon not face him when he held a blunt object. But what choice did she have?
    “Mr. McLeod.” She spoke first, hoping for some softening in the hawkish features. There was none, unless one considered the curl of dark hair that drooped appealingly over his left eyebrow.
    Bravely she cleared her throat and plunged ahead, “I, ah... It seems SeLi found your wallet. The kids were in such a hurry to catch the van this morning it completely slipped her mind until I ran down to ask if she had lunch money.” Not used to lying, Starr felt her palms grow damp. To hide her discomfort she dug in her purse for the offending item. Finding it at last, she held it out, suspended lightly between her thumb and forefinger.
    His steely-eyed inspection began at the top of her carefully contained curls and roamed downward to the tips of her low-heeled pumps.
    “I’ve gotta hand it to you,” he said grudgingly. “I’m not easily duped. How many men are tempted by your delectable wares—only to be parted from their money without a sample?” He took the wallet from her hand, opened it and fanned through a sheaf of bills. “You’re good,” he grunted, “Very good. So why blame the kid?”
    Starr’s temper flared. “I didn’t blame anyone. Nor did I come here to be insulted. You’ll find every last cent there. I trust this will be the last we need see of each other.” Heat stung her cheeks and she shifted her raincoat to the other arm.
    Clay McLeod laughed as he slid the wallet into his back pocket and buttoned it in place. “Come now. This is a small intimate complex. There’s no doubt we’ll meet again.” He paused. “Unless you’re not neighborly. Is that it, hmm? Afraid people might find out what you really do?”
    Starr’s steps faltered. She went on the defensive. “I’m a biochemist, Mr. McLeod. For the state of California. And a darn good one.”
    “Is that where you’re going dressed like a corporate VP? I thought chemists wore long white coats. Or is that only on TV?”
    “We do wear lab coats at work,” she informed him. “Not that it’s your business, but I have an appointment downtown.”
    He stiffened. “I’m making everything you do my business. I’ve moved here for the express purpose of becoming your shadow.”
    Starr’s jaw went slack. “ You moved...here? I thought you said Vanessa and Morgan did.”
    Clay shrugged. “It’s a big suite. Two complete wings. No reason to rent downtown when I have a great view of the condo entrance from my bedroom here. I can see everyone who comes and goes. Mention that to my brother, will you?”
    Her fingers curled around her purse strap until she realized she was playing into his hands and relaxed her grip. “You’ve got it wrong. If the senator visits, it won’t be to see me. After all, his wife lives here. And he owns the building.”
    “Technically not. When he chose politics our joint holdings became mine, at least on paper. Did he mention all leases are up January first?”
    So that was it. Harrison had agreed to let her catch up on the rent when the trust was turned over to her. Both she and Mrs. Blevins kept a running account