Read Online MadLoving by N.J. Walters - Free Book Online

He
didn’t even need to open his eyes. There was something indefinable missing from
the place. He sat up in bed and shoved his hair out of his eyes. Sure enough,
her pile of clothing was gone.
    “Damn it.” He threw back the covers and stood, hands on his
hips. Like Cinderella, she’d skipped out after their magical night. Of course,
he was no prince. He was simply a flesh-and-blood man who wanted her.
    He’d had a feeling she’d bolt. Somehow she’d managed to
sneak out without waking him. He yanked on the same pair of jeans he’d worn
last night and scratched his chest. This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.
    He glanced at the clock on the bedside table and frowned. It
was after ten. He’d slept late. When had she left?
    Nevar sighed deeply, trying to release his disappointment.
It didn’t work. He strode out into the kitchen and started a pot of coffee
perking before he started looking for a note. Maybe she’d left him one with her
number on it. That would be something. Not as good as her being here, but
second best.
    He found the small, folded piece of white paper perched in
the center of the dining table. The white among the sea of dark wood stood out
like a beacon. His name was scrawled on top. He picked it up and unfolded it.
    Thanks for a wonderful night.
    Allison
    That was it. Nothing more than thanks. Nevar started to
crumple the note, but stopped himself. He was an idiot. The woman had made
herself perfectly clear. The night was over and they were done.
    Except he honestly didn’t think that was how she really
felt. They’d talked for more than an hour after they’d eaten their late-night
snack. They’d curled up on the sofa and traded stories of their childhoods—her
on the farm and him in the city with his offbeat family.
    There was something between them. Some connection that went
beyond one night. Allison wasn’t the type of woman to jump in bed with a guy
without having some feelings for him. She had commitment written all over her.
    He wanted her and he wanted her commitment. He refolded the
note and tucked it into his back pocket. He’d find her. He had enough to go on.
He knew her name and that she worked in the registrar’s office of a school
somewhere here in Manhattan.
    And maybe he was being an idiot, reading more into things
than was really there. He scrubbed his hand over his face and rolled his
shoulders to release the tension. No, he wasn’t mistaken. Allison had gone back
to bed with him last night, snuggling close when he’d pulled her into his arms.
    He’d wanted to make love to her again, but had refrained,
not wanting to overwhelm her. He snorted. Better to have ignored all those gentlemanly
instincts and fucked her into exhaustion. At least then she’d still be in his
bed this morning.
    The coffee was perked and he needed a cup badly. He filled a
large red mug and added sugar before taking his first mouthful. Manna from the
gods.
    Someone pounded on his front door. His heart jumped thinking
it was Allison, but then common sense kicked in. That loud a knock meant only
person. He set his mug down on the counter, strode to the door and pulled it
open. “Morning, Rabb.”
    Dressed in jeans and a tight black T-shirt, his brother
looked as though he’d been up for hours. Rabb raised one dark eyebrow. “Not a
good one from the looks of you. Thought you’d be in a better mood this
morning.” He came in and went straight to the coffeepot. Rabb took down a mug,
at home here as much as he was in his own place, and helped himself to some
coffee. “What’s the matter? She still here?” He tilted his head toward the
bedroom.
    “No.” Nevar leaned against the counter and crossed his arms
over his chest. “And that’s the problem.”
    A slow smile curved Rabb’s lips. The bastard was enjoying
himself. “Well, well, well. Not ready to let the little darlin’ go yet.”
    “No.” He forced himself to relax and reached for his mug. It
was either that or punch his brother.