Read Online The Hollow by Nora Roberts - Free Book Online

anyway when not everyone in the world was six feet tall? She rose to her toes, stretched up and managed to nudge a corner of the carton over the edge of the shelf. With one hand braced on a lower shelf, she wiggled it out another inch.
    â€œI’m going out to grab some lunch,” Fox said from behind her. “If you want anything— Here, let me get that.”
    â€œI’ve almost got the damn thing now.”
    â€œYeah, and it’s going to fall on your head.”
    He leaned in, reached up, just as she turned.
    Their bodies brushed, bumped. Her face tipped up, filled his vision as her scent slid around him like satin ribbons. Those sea-siren eyes made him feel a little drunk and a lot needy. He thought: Step back, O’Dell. Then he made the mistake of letting his gaze drop down to her mouth. And he was done.
    He angled down, another inch, heard her breath draw in. Her lips parted, and he closed that last whisper of distance. A small, soft taste, then another, both feather light. Then her lashes swept down over those seductive eyes; her mouth brushed his.
    The kiss went deeper, a slow slide into heat that tangled his senses, that filled them with her until all he wanted was to sink and sink and sink. And drown.
    She made some sound, pleasure, distress, he couldn’t tell with the blood roaring in his ears. But it reminded him where they were. How they were. He broke the kiss, realized he was essentially shoving her into the storage closet.
    â€œSorry. I’m sorry.” She was working for him, for God’s sake. “I shouldn’t have. That was inappropriate. It was—” Amazing. “It was . . .”
    â€œFox?”
    He jerked back an entire foot at the voice behind him. When he whirled around, he could feel his stomach drop straight to his knees. “Mom.”
    â€œSorry to interrupt.” She gave Fox a sunny smile, then turned it on Layla. “Hi. I’m Joanne Barry. Fox’s mother.”
    Why was there never a handy hole in the floor when you needed one? Layla thought. “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Barry. I’m Layla Darnell.”
    â€œI told you Layla’s helping me out in the office. We were just . . .”
    â€œYes, you were.”
    Still smiling, she left it at that.
    She was the kind of woman you’d probably stare at even if you weren’t stunned stupid, Layla thought. There was all that rich brown hair waving wild around a strong-boned face with its full, unpainted mouth, and long hazel eyes that managed to look amused, curious, and patient all at once. Joanne had the tall, willowy build that carried the low-slung jeans, boots, and skinny sweater look perfectly.
    Since it appeared Fox had been struck dumb, Layla managed to clear her throat. “I, ah, needed a new cartridge. For the printer? It’s on the top shelf.”
    â€œRight. Right. I was getting that.” Fox turned, managed to collide with Layla again. “Sorry.” Jesus Christ. He’d no more than pulled the box down when Layla snatched it away, and fled.
    â€œThanks!”
    â€œDo you have a minute for me?” Jo asked sweetly. “Or do you need to get back to what you were doing when I came in?”
    â€œCut it out.” Fox hunched his shoulders, led the way back to his office.
    â€œShe’s very pretty. Who could blame you for playing a little boss and secretary?”
    â€œMom.” Now he dragged his hands through his hair. “It wasn’t like that. It was . . . Never mind.” He dropped into a chair. “What’s up?”
    â€œI had some things to do in town. One of which was to drop by your sister’s for lunch. Sparrow tells me she hasn’t seen you in there for two weeks.”
    â€œI’ve been meaning to.”
    Jo leaned back against his desk. “Eating something that isn’t fried, processed, and full of chemicals once a week won’t kill you, Fox. And you should be supporting