Read Online Too Charming by Kathryn Freeman - Free Book Online Page A

hint that the suspect was lying. Right now, from the whisper of hesitation in his answers, she knew there was something Scott was covering up. It irked her that she wanted to know what it was. Why did it matter that, as a clearly sporty person, he’d spent a lot of his childhood inside, drawing? Or that he didn’t know where his mother was?
    Her increasing interest in him worried her.  It seemed the more she was getting to know him, the more he was starting to grow on her. That being said, she was a long way from being convinced that going out with Scott Armstrong was a good way to start dating again. It would be like a minnow taking swimming lessons from a shark.
    With a small sigh, she rose from her chair and went to put together the final touches of the meal. Anything to distract her from thinking too much about dating Scott.
    Not that he was going to make that easy for her, she thought wryly a little while later as he gently pushed her mother back into her chair, telling her that she wasn’t to clear up. He and Sally would do it. And yes, that was her daughter now carefully clearing the table, her face a picture of concentration as she carried each plate to the kitchen for Scott to load into the dishwasher. The same daughter who usually wasn’t seen for dust when there were chores to be done.
    ‘That’s a Harley Sportster you’ve got there isn’t it?’ Her father asked as they all settled back in the sitting room to drink their coffee.
    ‘Yep. The XR1200.’
    ‘I bet it has the Evolution engine? You’ve got to love the sound of those engines.’
    Scott was grinning like a proud father. ‘The V-twin engines, angled to give it that distinctive throaty growl. It’s why I bought the bike.’ He took a sip of his coffee. ‘Are you a bike fan then, Mr Taylor?’
    ‘Used to be. There was a time when Dot and I would race around the countryside together.’ He glanced over at Megan. ‘Life before responsibility.’
    ‘Not that you regret having me, eh, Dad?’ Megan teased.
    He chuckled. ‘Not at all. Still, seeing that Harley of Scott’s on the drive, makes me think back to those good old days.’
    Megan shook her head in mock despair. ‘I can’t see what all the fuss is about, personally. It’s just boys and their toys.’
    Suddenly Scott levered his large frame out of the low armchair and walked towards her, holding out his hand.
    ‘What?’
    He grasped her by both hands and hauled her on to her feet. ‘I’m about to show you what all the fuss is about.’
    Momentarily dumbstruck, Megan felt herself pulled towards him, acutely aware of the warmth of the hands that enclosed hers. Hands that were strong and surprisingly calloused, not smooth as she’d expected.
    ‘That’s very kind, but you don’t need to bother,’ she protested when she’d finally found her voice. ‘I’m not sure I really want to know.’
    Ignoring her, he let go of one hand and tugged her towards the door with the other.
    ‘I haven’t got a helmet,’ she heard herself muttering. As excuses went, it was probably pretty desperate because he was bound to have—
    He looked back and grinned. ‘I’ve got a spare.’
    As a last resort she glanced back at her parents, her eyes pleading. They simply smiled.
    ‘Go on, darling,’ her mother had the audacity to encourage. ‘You’ll enjoy it. I know I did.’
    Before she could argue any further she was standing outside next to the machine itself. She eyed it curiously, prepared to admit that it did look kind of sexy. In a powerful, menacing way. Much like its owner right now.
    ‘A few rules before we start,’ Scott began as he reached for the spare helmet and then stood in front of her. Very close. So close that she could feel the warmth emanating off his big, solid body. ‘First rule, you have to relax,’ he continued as he lowered the spare helmet gently on to her head, flipping up the visor as he made sure of the fit.
    She found herself staring straight at his chest, her