Read Online Swept Away by Kristina Mathews - Free Book Online Page B

was at least able to concentrate, biting her lower lip as she input information into the computer. When she chewed on the end of a pen, Carson thought he was going to explode.
    Cody had walked in just in time.
    “Hey, Cody, could you check and see if the printer has plenty of paper?” Carson suggested. He couldn’t stand having Cody just sitting there, doing nothing but making all of them aware that this was far from business as usual. “Lily mentioned some reports she needs to run, and I’d hate for her to run out in the middle of the job.”
    “Yeah sure.” Cody strolled over to the printer, staring at it like it was a foreign object.
    “The extra paper is in the cabinet below.” He really shouldn’t take such pleasure from his brother’s cluelessness. “If there isn’t enough, there should be two or three cases out in the barn.”
    “I knew that.” Cody shot him a deadly glare. “I was just thinking I should check the toner as well.”
    “Good idea.” Carson glanced over at Lily, who was trying to hide a smile as she worked. Her fingers clicked and clacked over the keyboard, and she had managed to make quite a dent in the in basket.
    Cody rummaged through the cabinet, loaded the printer with paper, and stood there looking like a man who’d just performed open-heart surgery using a pocket knife. Lily didn’t seem to notice.
    Carson could just sit there watching his brother looking like a lost little kid or he could jump in and save his ass. He threw him a line. “I think we need to update our website. Maybe you could give me a hand with the copy? I’m sure you could think of some way to make it more interesting.”
    “Sure. I can write up some tips to make the first time more enjoyable.” Cody seemed relieved to have something to do besides stand there and look pretty. “Lily could help.”
    And that’s what he’d really come in for—an excuse to get close to Lily. Carson had just flung the door open and Cody waltzed right on through.
    “Sure. I’d be happy to help.” Lily looked up from her screen. “But I need to get my work done first.”
    “Maybe we could discuss it over dinner?” Cody was smooth. Too smooth.
    “I started at seven-thirty. I’m sure you don’t want to pay overtime,” Lily said. Carson realized he’d been holding his breath, fearing she’d take the bait.
    “Guess not.” The disappointment in Cody’s voice was priceless. He’d taken a big blow to his ego and Carson loved Lily for it.
    Wait a minute. Love was a little strong. He liked Lily. Admired her, even. He was most definitely attracted to her. But love? That was the last thing on his agenda. As soon as he got her settled in the job, and informed Cody of his plans, he was gone.
    He’d planned on driving out around Memorial Day. Take a little vacation, do some exploring along the way. Now he’d have to put it off until he was sure the business would stay afloat. Which reminded him, some of the rafts were getting old and should be replaced sooner rather than later.
    “While you’re at it…” Carson realized he’d been staring at Lily. “Why don’t you run an inventory on the boats? Anything with more than three patches should be replaced.”
    “Why don’t you run an inventory on the boats?” Cody came around to his side of the desk and sat down on the edge. “I need to use the computer to update the website.”
    Shit. He should have thought of that. This office was feeling a little too crowded. Since Cody wasn’t budging, he figured he’d have to be the one to step aside. Leaving his brother alone with Lily. Giving him a chance to do his magic.
    “Here’s my cell.” Carson jotted the numbers on a yellow sticky note. “Text me if you need anything.”
    He wanted to add, “If you need me to rescue you from Cody,” but he kept that thought to himself. Maybe she wouldn’t want rescuing.
    “I’ll be sure to take good care of her.” Cody was dialing up the charm. She’d resisted so far, but