Read Online Hunted by Kaylea Cross - Free Book Online

shiny things.”
    He turned back to her, amusement lighting his eyes. “What, you don’t like shiny things?”
    “Well, some—” She broke off as she realized what he’d said. And, more importantly, not said. “Wait, so you’re saying you think I’m opportunistic too?”
    “No, I know you are,” he confirmed, taking her aback as he mimicked her stance and folded his arms across his chest, drawing her attention once again to those beautiful muscles. He lifted a dark eyebrow in a gesture she could only describe as sardonic, yet there was still a gleam of male interest in his eyes. “You really going to stand there and pretend you didn’t bring me up here hoping to get me into bed?”
    Well, wow.
    His directness momentarily put her at a loss for words, something that rarely happened. For two seconds she thought about protesting, laughing it off, but decided that would not only be immature, but stupid. Clay was jaded, had some serious trust issues with women in general. Thanks to Eve, he thought she and most of her gender were manipulative and conniving. Zoe wasn’t going to prove him right by lying now. Her whole plan was to show him she was nothing like his ex, so meeting his directness head-on was the only way.
    “Nope. Not denying it. So how do you feel about that, then?”
    His other eyebrow rose and she knew she’d surprised him with her bluntness. Good. She had plenty more surprises in store for him if she had anything to say about it. If he’d just give her a chance.
    He looked away. Disappointment hit her like a fist, surprising in its strength. “You know why that can’t happen.”
    “You’re worried about what Tuck will think,” she guessed. It sure as hell wasn’t because he didn’t want her. She knew he did, and the way his eyes kept dipping to her cleavage was in direct contrast to his words.
    His gaze slid back to hers. “It’s not gonna happen, Zoe.” The words were sure. Final.
    She tilted her head. “You’re not even going to tell me why?”
    “Doesn’t matter why. We’re not going there.”
    The disappointment swelled, growing into something sharper, something resembling loss. Until that moment she hadn’t realized just how much she’d pinned her hopes on the chance of a fling that led to more with him. Part of her was convinced that once he let her in that far, she’d have a shot at the rest. Though she wanted to press, find out what the problem really was, she sensed if she pushed now he’d pull back into himself and she’d lose him for good.
    Taking a deep breath, she gave a small shrug as if it didn’t matter and turned toward the kitchen. “Okay.” The hardwood floor was cool beneath her bare feet as she headed for the fridge. “I’m kinda hungry. Want something to eat?”
    “No, I’m just gonna meet up with the guys,” he said, already texting one of them on his phone.
    Realizing that all her plans for the night had just gone up in smoke, Zoe pulled out a platter of chilled watermelon and set it on the counter. As she was pulling back the plastic film covering it, her cell rang inside her purse, hanging from the post at the top of the stairs. She crossed to get it. It was rare for her to get a call this late at night so she expected to see Celida’s number on the screen, but instead saw it was a fellow volunteer from the shelter. She took the call and answered.
    “Hey, glad I caught you,” Liz said, sounding a little out of breath.
    “Everything all right?”
    “Not really. It’s Leticia.”
    Zoe stilled. “What’s wrong?” She was conscious of Clay looking at her but didn’t glance at him.
    “She’s gone.”
    “What? Gone where? Did he find her?”
    “We don’t think so. Something spooked her a little while ago. She said she didn’t feel safe here, took her son and left.”
    “On foot?” It was the middle of the night and if her dangerous ex was out looking for her, that seemed like a stupid thing to do. Very unlike Leticia.
    “She might have