Scandalised--3 Book Box Set by Lori Foster

Author:Lori Foster
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mills & Boon Special Release
Published: 2014-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

TYLER SET THE pizza on the table, then turned to Carlie. She’d been quiet, too damned quiet, all day. He caught her as she walked by to set the table.

He pulled her into his arms. She was more rigid than usual. “I missed you, Carlie. How about a hug?”

Her arms remained at her sides, and she looked beyond him. He was stymied. “What is it? Are you mad at me about something?”

“No, I’m not mad.”

“Then what is it?” He bent to look into her eyes. “You can at least give me a hug, can’t you?”

She did as he asked, but it was a measly effort at best. Tyler let his hands drift down her back, and realized suddenly that it was the first time he’d ever done so. Her back was narrow, her flesh firm, and her waist tapered in. His hands started to explore there, but she pulled away. He touched her chin, seeking her eyes again. “What is it?”

“We need to talk.” She peered up at him, her eyebrows lowered in a nervous frown, and shook her head. “But later, after we eat.”

“Ah, intrigue. You don’t have to work at keeping my interest, you know. I’m already caught.”

Carlie slapped a huge piece of pizza onto his plate, splattering tomato sauce over the table.

Tyler raised his eyebrows. “You are entertaining, Carlie. When we don’t have practice, I have nothing to look forward to at the end of the day. I think of you, though.”

Carlie stopped in the middle of pouring the wine. She turned to Tyler, her expression serious. “Why?”

“What do you mean, ‘why?’ I like you.”

“But why, Tyler? What is it about me that you like?”

He considered her question with grave seriousness. She was being very sober. His answer obviously mattered a great deal to her. The first thing that came to his mind was her honesty. “I can trust you. You don’t play games, and I don’t think you would ever lie to me. You’re straightforward and genuine, blunt to a fault. I’ve never known a woman like you before.”

Carlie looked stricken, which wasn’t the reaction he had expected. She crossed her arms over her chest and turned away. He walked up behind her and wrapped her in his arms, holding her close despite her stiffness. He still felt frustrated and angry over his mysterious phone call, and now, with Carlie seeming so intent on separating herself from him, he actually felt needy. It wasn’t a feeling he enjoyed.

“Carlie, talk to me. I don’t like this. I’m used to you giving me hell and making me laugh and then making me so hot I can’t breathe. I’m not used to this silence, sweetheart.”

She turned abruptly, throwing her arms tight around him and he groaned in relief. His arms were around her middle, and it registered, rather abruptly, that she was actually slim. She was wearing her usual basketball clothes that consisted of baggy sweats, and since the day was cooler, she was layered under several pieces.

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