Read Online Crave (The MacKenzie Family #11) by Liliana Hart - Free Book Online

broad and his body still in good shape from years of training. His hair was thick and had been completely silver since she was a child. It was a shame he hadn’t found a woman to keep him occupied so he’d stay out of her business.
    “You’re pushing your luck, Evangeline.”
    “No, Dad. I’m being serious.” She shrugged and then crossed her arms over her chest. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe it’s time I took your advice and settled down. And you’re handpicking these men, so there must be something good about them. I figure one is just as good as the next. You’ve always loved Cal like a son anyway, so maybe we should just see where this goes. ”
    The color drained from her father’s face and he went completely still. She would’ve burst out laughing if it wouldn’t have completely ruined her plan. But when she turned and looked at Cal any humor she saw in the situation dried up immediately. She recognized that look. It meant trouble.
    “Now, Evangeline,” Robert sputtered. His eyes cut back and forth between her and Cal, gauging the potential fallout. Just like always.
    “It’s okay, Daddy. I’m sure Cal knew exactly what he was getting himself into when he agreed to take this job. It’s not like you’ve been subtle about your attempts. Now if you two don’t mind, I think I’m going to lie out by the pool for a couple of hours. The idea of a vacation sounds nice now that you put the idea in my head,” she told her father.
    She’d taken two steps toward the door when Cal stopped her and said, “Just hang tight a minute, Evie. You and I need to go over the ground rules. This isn’t just a vacation. You’re going to take every precaution while you’re here.”
    “You do love your rules, don’t you, Cal?”
    “Rules tend to keep girls out of trouble.”
    “Must be nice to make the rules and never have to follow them.”
    The corner of his mouth kicked up and the blue of his eyes deepened until they were almost navy. “It has its advantages.”
    “Am I missing something?” her father asked, looking back and forth between the two of them.
    “Robert, I think it’s time you left us alone to talk this out. You’ve set this in motion, but it’s time to let us take it from here. Obviously, Evie and I have a great deal to work out. Like the fact that we’re going to be sticking together like glue until this guy is caught. Declan has added security in locations unknown to me, but they’re not on the property so it’s just you and me kid.”
    “Get real, Cal. We can’t be together every second of every day.”
    “Sure we can, sugar. I’ll scrub your back in the shower. By the way, I sleep on the left side of the bed.”
    This time it was her mouth that dropped open in surprise. The look Cal gave her was so hot and filled with lust she wondered how she didn’t combust into flames where she stood. Heat rushed to her cheeks and things she hadn’t allowed herself to feel since she was a teenager overwhelmed her. It was a hell of a time for her hormones to awaken. Cal had always been at the center of her fantasies. Until he’d killed them. It was important to remember why she’d stopped loving him.
    “Now wait just a damned minute, Cal,” her father said. His cheeks flushed with anger.
    “No interference, Robert,” Cal interrupted. “That was your promise when I took the job. You’re the one who’s been meddling in Evie’s life, trying to get her to settle down. I’m just answering the call. You’ve done your part. Now it’s up to the two of us.”
    “You’re supposed to be protecting her, not seducing her. I know your reputation better than anyone, son.”
    “I will protect her. With my life if I have to. The seduction is just an added bonus.” He grinned unapologetically and she started to worry that Cal was going too far. Her father looked ready to commit murder.
    She’d never seen Cal face down her father before. Come to think of it, she wasn’t sure she’d ever seen