Read Online Millionaire's Last Stand by Elle Kennedy - Free Book Online Page A

forget. Cole was a suspect in his ex-wife’s murder. Jamie was supposed to be investigating him. How could those little facts slip her mind? How could she have let him kiss her?
    “The kiss…” She took a breath. “I can’t get involved with you, Cole. It wouldn’t be appropriate.”
    His gaze dropped to her waist, to the bulge beneath her shirt. “You’re right,” he said with a tense look.
    “Your ex-wife was murdered,” she added. “Whether you’re cleared of the crime or not, you’re still a part of this case.”
    She wondered if he heard the wobble in her voice. Hopefully the torrential downpour outside covered it up. She meant every word she said, though. She couldn’t get involved with this man. It went against every professional ethic she possessed.
    “You don’t have to say anything else,” Cole answered, his deep voice pulling her from her thoughts. “I don’t want to get involved either.”
    She couldn’t stop a prickle of offense. “You don’t?”
    “My marriage just fell apart like a damn game of Jenga.” His chest rose as he inhaled an unsteady breath. “I’m attracted to you, but the last thing I want right now is to jump into anything new.”
    He was attracted to her. An unwanted thrill which only made her head spin shot up her spine at the confession. Joy and disappointment and relief mingled in her belly, forming a cocktail of confusion. She’d just said she couldn’t be with him and he’d agreed with her, so what was there to be disappointed about?
    And why had her pulse kicked up several notches when he admitted his attraction?
    “Yeah,” she finally said. “Neither of us is in the place to start something up. My job, your marriage…not a great combination.”
    “Right,” he said with a nod of concurrence.
    “So it’s settled then.”
    “Settled.”
    “That kiss was a dumb idea.”
    Something flickered in his eyes. “Terrible idea,” he agreed.
    Their gazes held, and she attempted to keep her expression as blank as the one he displayed at her. God, she hated games. There was no doubt in her mind that he’d been just as blown away by that kiss as she had. But maybe it was best to pretend it hadn’t shattered either of their worlds.
    And it was certainly best to ignore the appealing picture he painted at the moment, with his wet shirt emphasizing every sinewy muscle on broad chest, the razor stubble gracing his strong jaw, the way his dark hair gleamed in the candlelight.
    She hastily turned to look at Elmer, who’d finished eating and was now staring up at her with curious eyes. “Uh, I guess I’ll turn in. Is there a bedroom I can sleep in?”
    “It’s eight o’clock,” Cole said with the amused twitch of his jaw. “Maybe you should have some dinner first.”
    Dinner? With him? Sitting at the same table, fighting each little spark of desire that ignited her belly from his mere proximity?
    Then her stomach gave a little growl, and she realized it was probably a good idea to eat something. She hadn’t had a single bite since the morning and she couldn’t sleep on an empty stomach.
    “You’re right,” she conceded. “We should have some dinner.”
    He was already heading to the fridge. “I’ve got some leftover Chinese food from yesterday. We won’t be able to heat it up, but I like it better cold anyway.”
    “Me too,” she admitted.
    She couldn’t help but ogle the way the muscles of his back bunched and flexed as he bent into the fridge to pull out several white food cartons. Without those sexy black eyes on her, she drew in a calming breath and ordered herself to keep it together. So what if she hadn’t felt an attraction this strong to a man before?
    If Cole could waltz around the kitchen pretending their kiss hadn’t affected him, then so could she.
     
    Cole didn’t sleep a wink that night, and it wasn’t the sound of the rain battering the house or the roof’s moans of protest each time the wind hit it. His insomnia had been the