Read Online Man with a past by Jayne Ann Krentz - Free Book Online Page A

than because she wanted more coffee. „The records are all neatly stored in Roger’s computer,“ she muttered.
    Cole’s mouth twisted. „I should have guessed. Roger and his passion for accuracy. Of course he would have entered the information into his new computer.“ Cole took an experimental sip of his coffee. He gazed thoughtfully out the window now, not looking at Kelsey. „So you went snooping this morning, hmm?“
    She stiffened, aware of a lingering sense of guilt. „I wasn’t prying. I helped Roger set up those records and I’ve been into the files a dozen times with him.“
    „But not that file.“
    „This file didn’t exist the last time I looked at the list in the computer,“ she gritted.
    „And once you saw my name on it, you couldn’t resist going into it, right?“ Cole appeared half amused and half resigned. „Poor Kelsey. You and your endless questions. You’ve got the curiosity of a cat, along with a few other feline characteristics, don’t you?“
    „Cole, I want some answers.“
    „I know you do. But as usual, you’re not going to get them.“
    She swallowed uncertainly, not liking the blunt finality in his voice. „I mean it, Cole. I want to know what’s going on. Why is Roger paying you that money?“
    „That’s between Roger and me.“
    „What about my mother?“ she demanded.
    „Amanda knows nothing about it, either. It doesn’t concern her. Furthermore, if you mention the subject to her I’m going to be definitely annoyed,“ he said mildly.
    „Do you honestly expect me to let it drop there? Pretend nothing’s going on?“
    He gave her a level look. „Nothing is going on. At least nothing that concerns you. I’ve explained that this is entirely between Roger and me.“
    „Did you loan him money?“ Kelsey pressed.
    Cole said nothing.
    „Are you blackmailing my stepfather?“ she asked wildly.
    Cole took another sip of his coffee, obviously deliberating his response. „That’s a pretty heavy accusation, Kelsey.“
    „I’m not accusing you. I’m asking you. But you have this policy of not answering questions, don’t you?“ she reminded him angrily. „A policy of non-communication except when it suits you. How dare you sit there calmly drinking coffee and telling me none of this is my business? If the situation were reversed would you let me tell you to mind your own business? If you thought I was blackmailing a relative of yours would you simply back off and leave the whole matter alone? Hell, I don’t even know if you have any relatives!“ she concluded in frustrated fury.
    „Do you really believe I’m blackmailing Roger?“
    „I don’t know what to believe. I know virtually nothing about you, thanks to your total failure to communicate!“
    Lord, she was nearly shouting at him now. Kelsey’s fingers trembled around the hand of her coffee mug. It was nerve-racking to lose your temper with a man who was still very much in control of his own.
    „We communicated last night, Kelsey.“
    „That’s your idea of communication?“ she yelped, leaping to her feet as her emotions threatened to overwhelm her.
    „You’re out of your mind. What in heaven’s name made me think we could ever develop a long-term relationship?
    Forget last night, Cole. It’s past history, and we don’t talk about past history, remember? I only want to know what you’re doing to Roger.“
    „I’m not doing anything to him.“
    „Are you blackmailing him?“ she demanded.
    The gray gaze was as cold as the ocean on a winter’s day. „What do you think?“
    „That’s not an answer!“
    He got to his feet with lazy grace, taking a step toward her, which drove Kelsey back against the kitchen wall. „Do you believe I’m blackmailing your stepfather?“ Cole lifted his hands, flattening his palms against the wall on either side of her head. There was cool intimidation in every inch of his hard body.
    „Cole….“
    „Answer me,“ he ordered.
    „I’ve told you, I don’t