Free Almost Midnight by Teresa McCarthy

an engineering job. It was also noted for having some great hospitals if her mother ever needed treatment again. If Reach Medicals didn’t work out, she would keep Chicago in mind.
    She started down the ladder. “I appreciate your offer, Alex, but I’m hoping for a job around here. I would rather not move to another town.”
    He leaned forward and offered her his hand. “Well, darlin’, keep me in mind if you—”
    “Is this man bothering you?”
    Hannah jerked at the sound of Tanner Clearbrook’s voice slamming into her ears. Dumbfounded, she turned her head and stared at the handsome millionaire coming up the aisle. Where did he come from? His tone held a certain degree of coolness that reminded her of the last time she’d been with him. What was he going to do? Fire her in front of Alex Richards?
    “No,” she said, meeting a pair of steely gray eyes. “No, he’s not bothering me.”
    Scowling, Tanner wedged himself between Alex and the ladder, putting his hand out to help her down. “Right, and I’m the Queen of England.” 
    Gray eyes locked with hers, and Hannah bit back a retort as she slipped her hand into Tanner’s. The fiery heat of his touch seared through her veins, and she quickly looked away. He was doing it again, making her want things she had desperately tried to avoid the past three years. Even though they hadn’t parted on the best of terms back in his den, she couldn’t deny the electricity between them.
    “You know this guy, Hannah?” Alex Richards’ sharp voice broke into the fog that clouded her brain.
    She pulled her hand to her side, but before she could speak, Tanner spun around.
    “She knows me. You have a problem with that?” 
    The challenging tone of Tanner’s voice sent Hannah’s brain into high alert. Her breath caught in her throat.
    “I’m asking Hannah, not you,” Alex retorted coldly.
    Feeling like a fish dangling on a hook, Hannah darted a wary gaze across the room. Jeremy sat behind one of the tables with a stack of books in front of him, one exuberant hand waving in her direction with Fritz giving her the thumbs up. She narrowed her eyes and thought she detected the scent of ginger lingering in the air. What was going on here?
    “You calling me a liar?” The steely warning in Tanner’s tone jerked Hannah back to the scene at hand. A muscle twitched in Alex’s jaw, and the silence that followed was unmistakable.
    Hannah sneezed, trying to wedge herself between the two men. Tanner’s chest pressed against hers and she felt trapped. The sudden thought crossed her mind that he was trying to protect her. How very odd. What had happened to the arrogant man she’d left only hours ago?
    She lifted her eyes higher and noted with surprise that Tanner’s gaze was riveted on her lips. A tingle of awareness shot through her. What was he trying to do to her?
    She swallowed nervously, quickly looking away, only to find Alex with a similar expression.
    Inwardly, she screamed. This was insane.
    Gritting her teeth, she tilted her head back toward Tanner, hoping he would step aside, but she instantly regretted her decision when she found herself nose to chin with her handsome employer. Or was it ex-employer now?
    Yet in spite of her determination to tear herself away from his silvery gaze, she found it almost impossible, especially since his face was tilting dangerously towards hers.
    Her senses spun, and she stared at him in utter disbelief.
    Why, the man was acting as if he was actually going to kiss her! Here, in the library!
    “Miss Elliot!” The censoring sound of Mrs. Gould’s voice broke through the spell.  
    Hannah heard Tanner’s quick intake of breath as he backed away. She felt her face redden. Her cold medicine must have been playing tricks with her brain. Whatever had she been thinking?
    She turned abruptly toward Mrs. Gould who stood at the end of the aisle, the lady’s face a thundercloud of rage. Candy stood beside the woman and rolled her eyes.