Read Online She's No Angel by Kira Sinclair - Free Book Online Page B

did sometimes take early appointments.
    Walking closer to the front, Lexi heard the soft murmur of voices: Willow’s elegant cadence, Macey’s no-nonsense, clipped words, and someone male.
    Even before she’d walked through the decorative swinging doors that separated the spaces the quickening in her body told her who that voice belonged to. But pushing through and seeing Brett standing at the glass counter, surrounded by tiny beads that caught the light, colored sequins and lace should have made her laugh.
    Someone as inherently masculine as Brett Newcomb should have stuck out like a sore thumb. But he didn’t. He blended in so easily. The man was a chameleon. She imagined that no matter where he went, he found a way to fit in. Whereas she...she’d always been the one who faded into the background. On the surface those two things sounded similar, but in reality they were totally different.
    Blending was good. A skill. Fading just happened. Something she hadn’t known how to prevent when she was younger and a comfort zone she was familiar with as an adult.
    Lexi’s chest tightened. What was he up to now? Whatever he wanted must be attached to the resort. So why weren’t her friends slamming the door in his face?
    “You could knock down this wall instead, since that one’s load bearing. That would actually open up the space, but still give you the clearly defined demarcation that you’re looking for.”
    Willow frowned. Macey nodded slowly. Brett’s finger slid across the large square of paper spread across the counter in front of them. It was only one in a thick sheaf.
    Stepping closer, Lexi realized they were looking at the blueprints for the store.
    Startled by her movement, Willow glanced up. “Oh, Lexi. I didn’t realize you’d come in.” Her friend smiled. “Everything okay?”
    Macey threw her a smile and a quick welcome, but went back to studying the drawing in front of her. “But this assumes we can purchase the space next door. What if we can’t?”
    Brett shifted. He studied her for several seconds, his face passive and his eyes cool. Then he smiled. And Lexi’s stomach flip-flopped.
    “What are you doing here?” Her voice was accusing, although she hadn’t meant it to be.
    Willow’s frown deepened and she sent Lexi a cool-it look.
    Brett’s grin deepened. “You like to ask me that, don’t you?”
    “Not really, but you’re always where you shouldn’t be.”
    “Who knew a public store could be off-limits?”
    “Lexi,” Willow’s soft voice admonished.
    Rolling the documents into a tight cylinder, Brett tucked them beneath his arm. “If you don’t mind I’ll take these with me and have a look at them tonight. I’ll see what I can come up with for your existing space.”
    Macey reached across the counter and laid her hand on his arm. “That would be wonderful. We really appreciate the help. I’ve been meaning to take the drawings into Charleston, but we’ve just been too busy. And I have no idea who might be good to talk to.”
    Brett nodded. “A bad architect can ruin the expansion before it even begins. Let me put out some feelers and see if any of my contacts know someone in Charleston.”
    The flash of Macey’s appreciative smile as she gazed up into Brett’s eyes made Lexi see green. Macey was her friend and she was only being polite. But apparently that didn’t matter to the green-eyed monster sitting on Lexi’s chest.
    “You’re so sweet.”
    Grinding her teeth together at the unwanted reaction, Lexi turned away from the group before she said something she’d regret. Brett was in town for a little while. Macey had been her friend—and a good one—for years.
    She didn’t realize he was behind her until it was too late. The heat of him spread down her spine and across the back of her thighs. All of her internal muscles began to flutter in anticipation. She clamped down on the reaction, but she still wanted him to touch her.
    He didn’t. Instead, he curled his