Read Online The Texan's Bride by Linda Warren - Free Book Online Page B

focus enough to reply.
    He grabbed the bottle. Jessie had given him a shock when she’d left the restaurant. He didn’t expect her to do that. He didn’t expect her to do a lot of things. Through the haze of Scotch he realized Jessie had manipulated him and he’d bowed to her every whim. She was in control, as always.
    But maybe not.
    As he stood, the room seemed to sway. “O-o-oh.” He’d reached his limit. The coffee table was in front of him, but every time he tried to set the bottle on it, the damn thing moved. What the hell, he’d take it with him.
    He needed to go to bed.
     
    J ESSIE QUICKLY UNDRESSED and slipped on short pajama bottoms and a tank top. After scrubbing her face, she applied moisturizer. Myra had talked on and on and it was past Jessie’s bedtime.
    It was ironic that for someone who was a brilliant attorney, Myra’s personal life was a mess. If anyone should be giving out advice on men, it should be Jessie instead of Myra. Jessie knew what she wanted. Myra did not. The fact they were brutally honest with each other was just part of their relationship.
    But Jessie hadn’t told Myra everything. Her secret was her own and she planned to keep it that way.
    Rinsing her hands, she froze. Someone had openedher door. She tiptoed to the bathroom doorway and peered around the frame.
    It was Cadde!
    He stumbled to the left side of the bed. He had something in his hand—a bottle, which he tried to set on the nightstand. After the third try, he managed it. He’d been drinking. That was more than evident, but what was he doing in her room?
    I’m moving into that big master bedroom.
    His words came back to her and she trembled. What did he plan to do?
    He sank onto the bed and yanked off his boots and then he stood and unbuttoned his shirt, sending it sailing toward her bay window. He seemed to sway. How drunk was he?
    Since the light was on she saw him clearly. Broad, naked shoulders met her eyes, followed by swirls of dark chest hairs that arrowed down his lean stomach into his slacks. She swallowed, but otherwise remained perfectly still, which was difficult because her pulse hammered loudly in her ears. He undid his belt and removed his pants, revealing black Jockey shorts.
    By now she was deaf. She couldn’t do anything but stare at the male body in front of her. Where did those gorgeous muscles come from? Cadde sat at a desk all day. Evidently he worked out. When? He spent every waking moment at Shilah. Or so she’d thought. Something else she didn’t know about him.
    He staggered for a moment and then threw the top sheet aside, crawling into the bed.
    Was he out?
    He sighed and she jumped back. Taking a deep breath, she glanced around the corner. He’d maneuvered his long body to the right side. That was her place. She always slept on the right. Damn!
    She slid to the floor and pulled up her knees. Mirry hopped into her lap. “Shh,” she whispered into Mirry’s nub of an ear. “We have a man in our room.”
    Mirry cocked her head, as if she understood.
    Jessie could sleep in a guest room, but her stubborn pride wouldn’t let her. On the other hand, she didn’t want to have drunken sex, either. She peered around the door again. He was out.
    With Mirry in her arms, she walked into the bedroom. Cadde didn’t stir. His breathing was heavy and there was a faint scent of Scotch in the room. Placing Mirry in her bed, Jessie flicked off the light and waited. Still he didn’t move.
    Frowning, she moved as quietly as possible to the left side. Cadde had most of the ecru sheet wrapped around him. The room was cool from the air-conditioning and she needed something to cover herself. Grabbing the peach comforter from a chair, she spread it out and eased beneath it.
    How was she going to sleep here? It wasn’t natural to her. She turned onto her right, hoping to get comfortable. It didn’t work. She heard a whine and looked down. Mirry stood on her hind legs, her paws on the mattress. The poor thing