Free Runaway: The Sequel to Secrets, a sexy and dramatic western romance (Finding Love ~ THE OUTSIDER SERIES) by Lorhainne Eckhart Page B

you. You have to trust me, Laura.”
    This time , he didn’t wait for her to answer. He stood up, and she could tell he was annoyed, as he raked his hands through his hair. “Look, we’re both tired....”
    A knock on the open door interrupted Andy.
    They both stared at Jules, who was standing awkwardly in the doorway. “The water for Laura.” She held up a tray with a pitcher and two glasses.
    “Just set it down.” Andy gestured to the side table in between the two chairs by the fireplace. “Oh , and could you have dinner sent up here? Gabriel and I are going to eat here with Laura.”
    “Of course , sir.” Jules set the water down. “Is there anything else you need in the meantime?” Jules glanced at Laura, but it was Andy she asked.
    “No . I’ll come down and grab Gabriel.”
    Andy poured a glass of water , and Jules hurried out the door. He handed Laura the glass, and she sipped at the water.
    “Thank you ,” she said, then set it on the bedside table beside her. “Andy...”
    He cut her off. “No, Laura, let’s just have dinner with Gabriel, get a good night’s sleep. I know you’ll feel differently in the morning. It’s just the stress of the day.”
    He did look tired, and she was frazzled. Maybe he was right.
    She shut her eyes and sighed . When she looked back up at him, she said, “Okay, but will you talk with me tomorrow about this and not blow me off?”
    If a man could be exasperated by a woman, the expression on Andy was exactly that. “Oh, for the love of God, Laura. I will deal with my mother. A week, Laura, give it a week. I assure you my mother will most likely be gone and I’m sure you’ll feel differently then, too. But we’ll talk then, okay?” He waited for her to respond. Frankly, he wasn’t being unreasonable.
    “Al l right, one week.”
    He didn’t exactly smile at her, but his expression softened. “I’ll grab Gabriel and be right back.”
    He left, looking so damn good from behind. She knew this man could talk her into anything if she let him, especially when he looked at her the way he did. If she wasn’t careful, he’d be organizing and planning her life, and she couldn’t allow him to do that, not ever again.

Chapter 13
    “Is Gabriel asleep?” Laura strode out of the bathroom , her damp hair brushed back, wearing Andy’s robe again and nothing underneath.
    “Yeah , with a smile on his face.” Andy sat on his side of the bed and unbuttoned his shirt.
    Laura froze and stared at his incredible chest and the dark hair that lightly covered it. He stood up and walked straight for her, and she felt her face heat and probably turn a nice shade of red.
    “Laura , you better get used to this, because I’m not changing in the bathroom.” He chuckled under his breath and slid his hand behind her neck, his other in her wet hair, and he leaned down. She swore he was about to kiss her, he was so close. He touched his nose to hers, and she couldn’t help breathing in how he smelled. It was earthy and, good God, made her knees weak. His scent was indescribable and all man, her man.
    “I need a shower ,” he said and went to pull back, but Laura reached her hand up and slid it over his whiskered cheek.
    “You smell so good.”
    He smiled his sexy smile and touched his lips to hers, and she couldn’t stop the tremble that shot through her, making her weak in the knees. He must have known, as he slid his arm inside the housecoat. She couldn’t think how he managed to untie it so easily as he caressed her belly, the small of her back, sliding his rough hand over her bare skin, running his thumb under her breast and his other around her bottom as he used his tongue to deepen the kiss, tasting her until she was taking his breath as hers.
    Andy caressed her rounded cheek, touching her so she lifted her leg up to hook around his hip. Her large belly poked into him, and he pulled away, grabbing her as his bathrobe fell open wide and she was naked before him.
    “I’m