Read Online Hands On by Debbi Rawlins - Free Book Online

say?”
    â€œShe’s blond so she has to be dumb?”
    â€œOh, no.” Dalton shook his head and started down the stairs again. “I did not say that.”
    She was right beside him. “That’s what you implied.”
    â€œFor your information, I only asked because I’m going to give my office a description of her and ifeither of us thinks she’s altered her appearance in any way, which I personally believe she has, I’ll need to tell them.”
    â€œOh.” The sheepish look on her face did his heart good. “Sorry.”
    â€œHey, did you hear the one about the guy who gave his blond wife a cell phone for Christmas?”
    The indignation was back on her face again, and she glared at him. “I have heard every stupid dumb blonde joke there is and none of them are funny.”
    â€œYou haven’t heard the cell phone one, I bet.”
    â€œAnd the ones I haven’t heard I don’t wish to hear. Thank you very much.”
    â€œThis will make you laugh. Loosen you up some.”
    â€œI’m loose enough.”
    He grinned. “Just the way I like my women.”
    â€œGee, I’m so surprised.”
    â€œOkay, this guy gave his wife a cell phone for Christmas, explained to her how to use it and—”
    â€œI’m not listening.”
    â€œThe next day she went shopping so he thought he’d surprise her with her first call.” Dalton chuckled when she started humming to drown him out. “The wife answered the phone, and totally amazed, asked ‘How did you know I was at Wal-Mart?’”
    Cassie pressed her lips together.
    He gave her a playful nudge. “Tell me that isn’t a good one.”
    â€œIt sucks.”
    â€œThat’s why you’re trying not to smile.”
    â€œGrow up.” She lifted her chin and moved ahead of him.
    The noise level from the parlor rose as they got to the bottom of the stairs. Mary Jane appeared with a wineglass in each hand.
    She gave them a blinding smile and handed them each a glass. “It’s about time you two got down here. Everyone’s anxious to meet you.”
    Dalton stared at the amber liquid. “What is this?”
    â€œSherry.”
    â€œOh, man.” He got a whiff and passed it back to her a bit too forcefully. “No, thanks.”
    Both women gave him funny looks. So maybe he overreacted, but his ex drank that stuff and he couldn’t even stand the thick sweet smell.
    â€œWe have a full bar,” Mary Jane said. “Just follow me.”
    â€œI’m sure they have some rubbing alcohol for you,” Cassie whispered with a sugary smile, and then cut in front of him to follow Mary Jane into the parlor.
    He was going to have to have a long talk with Cassie about her animosity toward him. She was carrying this sparring marriage act to the limit. He’d explained why he had to kiss her and pick her up in the bar. There was no reason to cop this attitude.
    â€œHere we are,” Mary Jane said as they entered the parlor. Everyone stopped talking as six pairs of curious eyes focused on them. “These are our newest guests, Dalton and Cassie Styles. And now I’ll let each of you introduce yourselves.”
    Dalton’s gaze immediately went to the redhead. Except regrettably, now she had on a shirt, though low-cut and leaving her midriff bare.
    She gave him a dazzling smile. “I’m Simone.” She pursed her lips in a pout. “I am so sorry about this afternoon,” she said, her voice slightly accented and totally without remorse. “I promise it will not happen again.”
    Too bad. He smiled. “No problem.”
    â€œI’m Grant, her husband.”
    Dalton had to swing around to link the voice to the man because it sure wasn’t the guy sitting next to her. Close, practically on her lap.
    Grant stood near the bar, tall, black hair with a touch of gray at the temples, very distinguished