All Grown Up by Janice Maynard

Author:Janice Maynard [Maynard, Janice]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction
ISBN: 9780373732197
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Eight

When Annalise stretched to work the kinks out of her back, it was almost five o’clock. Winter’s dark had fallen despicably early, sending her spirits plummeting. She was a runner on occasion, not hard-core-marathon level, but for exercise and stress relief. At the moment, nothing sounded more wonderful.

Unfortunately, she was trapped. And even worse, with a man who made her question everything she knew about herself.

She owed him an apology. The truth stuck in her throat, a huge lump of dismay wrapped in shame. Sam Ely was a nice guy. There. She admitted it. And he’d been doing his best to be kind and understanding when she uncharacteristically unburdened her soul.

But in return for his gentle, nonjudgmental listening, she’d been bitchy and ungrateful. No wonder he’d heaved a ladder across the room. Why did she have to be so touchy? Her life would be a lot easier if she had ever learned to be open to people, to meet them halfway. But she’d grown up in such an environment of mistrust when it came to the outside world, it was hard to change her ways.

She ducked into her bedroom to freshen up. Even with the heat running, the house seemed chilly now that the sun had gone down. She untied her cardigan from around her neck and slipped her arms into the sleeves. Taking down her hair to brush out the dust and tangles, her hands shook suddenly as she remembered Sam in this room. In her bed. How would she ever sleep tonight? The image of his big nude body dwarfing the old-fashioned bed would be impossible to forget.

She had intended to tuck her long unruly hair back into its hair band at the nape of her neck, but feeling both foolish and hopeful, she left it loose. Looking in the mirror, she winced. With her hair tumbled around her shoulders, she looked far more feminine. And vulnerable. Neither of those were comfortable attributes as far as she was concerned.

When the growling of her stomach drove her to seek out sustenance, she decided she could hide no longer. Gathering her courage, she went in search of Sam.

The smells from the kitchen took her by surprise, making her mouth water and her nose twitch appreciatively. Gingerly, she pushed open the door.

Her host looked up, spatula in hand. When he was out of the room, she could almost convince herself that he was just another guy. But face-to-face… Her heart stuttered and then picked up its normal rhythm. He was almost too much to handle.

She swallowed and bit her lower lip, hovering in the doorway. “Something smells amazing,” she said, offering an unspoken apology in hopes he would hear it and let her off the hook.

“It’s just about ready,” he said, his voice neutral. “How about opening that bottle of wine for us? And bring the glasses.”

She did as he asked, ridiculously grateful that he wasn’t frowning at her. Her nerves were jittery and her stomach unsettled. Though she deserved his

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