Read Online Crime & Passion by Chantel Rhondeau - Free Book Online Page B

realize so much of what he did was improper.
Then again, most women probably didn’t question him, afraid of
being dumped if they raised any protest about his actions.
    She’d half expected him to claim he needed to
stay in the same room with her while she showered—to offer proper
protection, of course. Almost before they left the parking lot at
Woofy Cuts, Madeline questioned her intelligence level at begging
him to stay with her.
    However, when they arrived at the apartment,
he surprised her by asking for a measuring tape and telling her to
enjoy the shower. The fact that Donovan hadn’t made any
inappropriate remarks was nothing short of astonishing.
    Maybe, buried deep inside and strongly
suppressed, a gentleman actually dwells inside him.
    Madeline walked into the living room, closing
the bedroom door behind her. “Where are you hiding, Donovan?”
    “I’m in the kitchen,” he called. “Have a
seat. You’re just in time.”
    “For what?”
    Donovan appeared in the doorway to the
kitchen, carrying the tea service on a tray. “I figured you could
use a cup of chamomile to calm you before we head to the
station.”
    As he set the tray on the coffee table,
Madeline took a seat on the couch. She schooled her face into a
neutral position, trying not to let Donovan see the shock she felt.
Apparently the gentleman lurked closer to the surface than his
prior actions lead her to believe.
    “I hope you don’t mind me rummaging through
your kitchen.” He poured two mugs and handed her one.
    “The kitchen is definitely a better place
than my bedroom.” She took a small sip and smiled. “Thanks. It was
thoughtful of you.”
    Donovan sat next to her and his thigh brushed
against hers. Madeline tried to ignore the heat of him, the way he
seemed to fill the entire room. She wanted to snuggle against his
side and let his arms soothe away her fear.
    She took another swallow of tea, wondering
where those feelings came from. Sure, she found Donovan attractive
physically, but he changed women more often than he changed
underwear.
    I don’t want him, she reminded
herself. It’s just some sort of instinct. He acts like the
strong alpha male and my hormones are urging me to breed with him.
Damn...we’re little better than animals.
    “Are you okay?” he asked, pulling her from
her thoughts. “You haven’t had the best week.”
    “That’s the understatement of the year, but
I’m fine.” Madeline decided to ignore the intriguing flecks of
green mixed with the blue of his irises. “I want to call and check
on Brutus.”
    “Billy called while you were getting ready.
Brutus is stable. If he makes it through the night, Billy says
he’ll be okay.” Donovan took her free hand in his.
    Madeline’s stomach somersaulted at his touch.
Her brain tried to reason with her body, but his hand was
reassuringly firm and strong, and she didn’t pull away.
    “It seemed to take forever before you got
there,” she admitted. “It was the longest and scariest five minutes
of my life.”
    “When I think how close you came today...that
he was in the same room as you.” He squeezed her hand tighter, and
she felt a tremor go through his arm and hand. “I won’t let
anything happen to you. I’ll drive you to the station to give your
statement. That’s the safest place for you. While you’re there,
I’ll go to the hardware store.”
    Madeline set her cup on the table and curled
her legs beneath her. “What are you getting there?”
    “Better door locks for one. I also measured
your windows so I can put wooden poles inside the frames. Then, no
one can open them from the outside. I’ll also find a huge can of
pepper spray to place near the door.”
    “Sounds like I’ll be secure here tonight.”
She tipped her head to the side, studying Donovan’s profile. “I
think we need to clarify something though.”
    Donovan finished his tea and set the mug on
the table. “What’s that?”
    Madeline took a deep breath, wondering if