Dangerous Relations by Carol J. Post

Author:Carol J. Post
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-05-31T12:48:13+00:00

* * *

Ryan reached inside his darkened apartment to flip on the light switch. Today had been another long day at the base. Now, at almost seven in the evening, he’d prefer to head straight to Shelby’s. But that wasn’t an option if he wanted to wear clean clothes tomorrow. He also had a bunch of thirsty houseplants.

He swung the door shut, dropping the duffel of dirty clothes onto the floor. First, he’d tend to his plants. He filled a gallon jug and walked to the wrought-iron stand against one of the patio doors. Orchids occupied the top shelf. Only one was in bloom, a tall stalk covered in delicate white flowers. African violets occupied the next shelf, frilly purple and pink blooms resting on fuzzy green leaves.

The bottom two shelves held a variety of plants—a Christmas cactus, two peace lilies, several bromeliads and a poinsettia someone had given him at Christmas. Above, two philodendrons hung from hooks in the ceiling, leaf-covered creepers trailing over the sides of the plastic containers.

He poured water into each of the pots and pinched off any dying leaves and blooms past their peak. It was nice not being the only living thing in the apartment. The plants weren’t the company a cat or dog would be, but they also didn’t require nearly as much care.

After he finished the watering chore, he grabbed the duffel and headed for his bedroom. Finding out last night that Chloe wasn’t his niece had just about knocked him off his feet.

What he hadn’t expected, though, was the sudden emptiness that had swamped him when he’d thought about never seeing Shelby again. No more listening to her hum while she worked. No more late-night conversations over ice cream. No more seeing the softness in her eyes as he caught her watching him with Chloe.

How had it happened? How had she gone from his adversary to someone he didn’t want to live without in a little over two weeks?

Shelby intrigued him. She was the opposite of her shallow, flighty sister. She was also nothing like Addy, who was moody and unpredictable. Even with all she’d faced over the past month—losing both her aunt and her sister, the attempts on her life—she’d never taken out her frustrations on anyone else.

And she was beautiful, but unlike Mia and Addy, she didn’t flaunt it. In fact, she seemed oblivious.

He unzipped his bag and, after dumping the dirty items into the clothes hamper, started repacking. If Addy had gotten her way, once the danger was over, he’d never see Chloe again. Her dislike for him wasn’t any secret. But her antagonism had only gotten worse.

Last night’s conversation with Shelby had given him some peace. She’d promised him he could see Chloe as long as he wanted to. If Shelby ever got tired of the animosity between him and Addy, Addy would likely be the one to go.

He selected some shirts and stuffed them into the duffel. Maybe falling for Shelby wouldn’t be a bad thing. If his feelings were returned, Chloe would be part of the package.

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