Free Breaker's Passion by Julie Cannon Page B

stopped abruptly.
    Her expression changed from engaging to something dark before transforming back to not quite the same. What was behind the instant change? But it was none of her business.
    Sensing Colby’s withdrawal she said, “It’s a habit I tried to break more times than I can count. But I finally accepted it and have moved on to try to conquer other, more important vices.”
    “Such as?” Colby asked as her coffee arrived.
    Her breakfast done, Elizabeth pushed her plate to the side and held her glass of water between her damp palms. “The Krispy Kreme drive-through, McDonald’s French fries, Nora Roberts novels.”
    “Nora Roberts?” Colby was clearly surprised.
    “God, yes, I love her work. My mother still can’t figure out why…how does she phrase it.” She hesitated to get just the right words. “Why does a college-educated woman with a lot of letters after her name read trashy romance novels?” She could practically hear her mother’s voice over her shoulder.
    “I couldn’t have asked it better myself,” Colby said.
    “Actually, Nora Roberts is anything but trashy, especially when she writes as J.D. Robb, but I’ll tell you what I’ve been telling her for years.”
    “I’m on pins and needles.” Colby bent forward in her chair.
    She liked Colby’s quick wit. “That after racking my brain all day, making dozens of decisions, answering hundreds of questions, and sitting through marathon meetings, a girl just wants to disappear in fantasy occasionally where she doesn’t have to do anything more taxing than turn the page.”
    Colby nodded. “I see your point. I don’t know who Nora Roberts is, or J.D. Robb, for that matter, but I get it.”
    “You don’t know J.D. Robb?” she asked teasingly.
    “Should I?”
    “Have you been to a bookstore in the last ten years?”
    Colby looked abashed. “If I say no, will you make me pick up the check?”
    This made her laugh. “Of course not. You’ll need your money to buy Naked in Death.” At Colby’s confused look she explained. “It’s the first book in the series featuring Detective Eve Roberts. She’s not a lesbian, but she kicks ass and is h-o-t.”
    Colby reached for the check anyway.
    “Hey!”
    “My treat, since I busted in on you. I think I can swing both breakfast and being naked in bed.” Her eyes twinkled and Elizabeth knew she had intentionally misspoken the title of the book she had just referenced.
    “It’s Naked in Death, and I’ll just bet you can.”
    The waiter cleared off their dishes, but Elizabeth didn’t want their conversation to end. “No classes this morning?”
    “Not on Wednesdays. A girl’s gotta have a chance to unwind, you know, from racking my brain all day, making dozens of decisions, answering hundreds of questions, and swallowing gallons of salt water.”
    “Why don’t I believe you?”
    “Which part, racking my brain or making dozens of decisions?”
    This conversation felt suspiciously like their first one. “Swallowing gallons of salt water? I’ve seen you out there, surfer Colby Taylor, and you know when to keep your mouth shut and when to open it.”
    She flushed when Colby’s eyes darkened and darted to her lips. Her words were not intended to be a play on their intimate encounter two nights ago, but they had the same effect.
    “My mother taught me never to argue with a woman with a lot of initials after her name.” Colby leaned toward her, arms on the table.
    “I like a girl who listens to her mother,” she said, slightly breathless.
    “I like a girl who stands up to hers,” Colby said softly.
    For the second time that day her world seemed to center on Colby. The clinking of silverware, the ringing of glasses touching the tables vanished. The crowded restaurant was silent. She was absolutely enthralled with the woman sitting across from her. She couldn’t speak and really didn’t want to. She could look into those dark eyes for hours and never see the same thing. Colby broke