Read Online Two Against the Odds by Joan Kilby - Free Book Online

electrifying to walk with her cool fingers wrapped in his. This touch was deliberate. And so very wrong. Which only made it all the more exciting.
    They walked past big expensive homes on the right and the bay on their left to the lookout at the end of the street. Behind them was the afterglow of the sunset. In front of them, a harvest moon was rising out of the water. It cast a glittering path to the sandy beach and the colorful beach huts. Between the sunset and the moonrise the entire sky, the houses perched among the tea trees on the cliff, and the cove, pulsed with light.
    On the water, a lone kayaker stroked his way home to the sailing club.
    â€œI wonder if that’s Jack,” Lexie said, leaning on the railing. “It is!” She waved and after a second the kayaker lifted a dripping paddle in salute. She turned to Rafe, her face alight. “My brother.”
    She stood so close in the small viewing platformthat every breath he took was filled with her scent. “I thought we’d agreed not to see each other.”
    She went very still. “We’re just watching the sunset, Rafe.”
    Rafe watched as Jack beached his kayak and hoisted it over his head. He made his way up the sand to the parking lot at the sailing club. By the time he strapped it to his truck and drove away, the moon had risen above the cliff, smaller now and turning silver.
    And then the sunset was just a memory.
    Rafe touched Lexie’s hair, feeling the silky texture of the long strands sifting through his fingers. “No one can know.”
    Her eyes had deepened to the same color as the sky, lit by moonlight. “No one,” she repeated.
    Rafe cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. Her skin beneath his palms was chill, her lips warm. His heart racing, he slipped his arm around her waist. “My room is just up the road.”

CHAPTER FIVE
    R AFE LED the way along the flagstone path that cut around the back of the two-story brick house. Murphy trotted ahead to wait at the wrought iron gate into the small private courtyard and the separate entrance where Rafe was able to come and go without disturbing the occupants at the house.
    â€œThis place used to belong to my ninth grade English teacher, Mrs. Bailey,” Lexie murmured.
    Rafe opened the gate and reached in his pocket for keys. “Myrna Bailey? Tall, iron-gray hair, sergeant- major type?”
    â€œYes! She must be a hundred years old by now.”
    â€œOne hundred and ten.” Rafe opened the sliding door. “She makes the best blueberry muffins I’ve ever tasted.”
    He flicked on a light.
    â€œMurphy, lie down.” Obediently, the dog lay on the mat at the door and rested his muzzle on his paws.
    Lexie started to unbutton Rafe’s shirt. “Am I going too fast?”
    â€œNo, but…” He kissed her forehead. “I can make tea if you’d like to talk for a bit.” He sat on the loveseat and pulled her down beside him. “This isn’t just sex,” he said earnestly. “I really like you.”
    â€œIt’s sweet that you think I need reassurance,” Lexie said. “I like you, too. But this is just sex. Let’s not kid ourselves. Besides conflict of interest, you’re…well…you’re too young for me.”
    â€œSo, you’re okay with just a fling?” he asked, not wanting any recriminations when it came time for him to leave.
    â€œAbsolutely. We’re going to have a few days of the best sex of our lives.”
    A guy couldn’t say no to that.
    She leaned up to kiss him, easing off the couch. “No, you stay there.” Lifting her arms, she pulled her halter top over her head.
    Rafe groaned. Yoga kept her firm and toned; forgetting to eat must help keep her slim. She slipped off her panties, leaving her skirt on. Then she climbed onto his lap, facing him. Pushing her hands into his hair, she gently pulled him toward her bare breasts.
    He sucked