Read Online Hell or High Water by Jerrie Alexander - Free Book Online Page B

hottest summer Texas had experienced in more than twenty years. The old Nate, the one full of confidence and bravado would have wormed his way inside under the air conditioner. The new Nate had shrugged his shoulders, accepted her edict, and then strolled out the door.
    Crap. People died in this kind of heat. That’s why she couldn’t sleep. Not because her heart did back flips every time his gaze locked on hers. And certainly not because her skin heated when those deep-blue eyes drank her in as if he were dying.  
    Double crap. Sighing at her weakness, she slid on a pair of jeans under her sleep shirt. Pistol in hand, she rested the grip against her thigh and plodded through the dark hall to the front door.
    “Going somewhere?”  
    She whirled and aimed her Glock in the direction of the voice. Her end-table lamp came on, chasing away the shadows.  
    Stretched out on her couch, Nate awarded her with that sexy Cheshire cat smile.
    “Damn it, Nate. I could’ve shot you.”
    “After being on the receiving end of that punch you threw at the cemetery, I’m not surprised you’re a quick draw.” He rubbed his jaw and swung his bare feet to the floor. “Mind pointing that thing somewhere else?”
      Kay lowered her gun. Damn him and his blasé attitude.  
    “Stop breaking into my apartment.” She glanced at the security chain. He should’ve had to break it to get inside, but there it was, securely in place. How’d he do that? Anger licked through her blood. “I double-checked to make sure the apartment was secured.”
    “I’m sure you did. Obviously, me on your couch is proof positive you need a bodyguard. Sleeping with your gun is a good tactic. You a good shot?”
    “Don’t tempt me to show you.”  
    Nate got to his feet, stretching muscled arms over his head. His T-shirt rode up, revealing ripped abs and one thin line of hair trailing down past the button on his jeans. She dragged her gaze up to the partially exposed tattoo on the inside of his left bicep. She couldn’t interpret the letters. According to Tyrell, Nate had been in a number of different countries. No telling what the darn thing meant in English.  
    “What’s the tattoo mean?” Why she’d asked was a mystery, and when she saw the glint in Nate’s eyes, she regretted posing the question.
    “This one?”He slid a finger under his shirtsleeve. “It’s nothing.”
    “Fine. Don’t tell me.” If he wanted to play guessing games, she was out. Kay stomped to the kitchen for a bottle of water, anything to put an end to her wandering thoughts. “I don’t really care.”
    “Since you’re up.” He sauntered down the hall.
    Seconds later, the bathroom door closed and the shower was running. Well, damn. She wasn’t budging until he returned. Getting her financial questions answered served as a good reason to wait. She’d go to bed after she laid out the ground rules. To be sure he didn’t sneak up on her again, she curled up in her favorite chair and faced the hallway.  
    He prowled down the hall as if he belonged in her apartment and in her life. Nate moved with a combination of grace and power. Strong movements, bold and sure, sex and swagger.  
    He scrubbed a towel over his thick, damp hair. Thank God, he’d dressed and covered his incredible body. Still, the tight T-shirt did nothing to hide his firm abs.
    He returned to his previous spot on the couch, stretched out, and made himself comfortable. Irritation sizzled on her skin’s surface. His gaze caught hers and held for a moment.
    “Kaycie, I could hear you tossing and turning. I’m here, you can rest now.”
    “It’s Kay and did something happen to your brain while you were gone?”
    “A lot.” He turned on his side, propped his head on his hand, and looked her in the eyes. “I get that I’m not on your Christmas list, but aren’t you a little too mad at me?”
    “A lot? That’s all you have to say?” She blocked out the rising anger and inhaled a calming