Free The Secret Life of Bryan by Lori Foster Page A

helping you?”
    Stubborn man. “I don’t need any help.”
    “No?” His gaze challenged her. “Then why are you here?”
    Oops. Caught in a web of her own making.
    She couldn’t tell him that no one in the media trusted Shay Sommers right now. If she got involved as herself, the press would be everywhere, and they’d make mincemeat out of Bryan’s efforts.
    But in the name of fair play, she had to let him know what he was getting into. She owed him that much. She got to her feet, circling the table so she stood right beside him. He, too, stood up, as if having her over him made him uneasy.
    Wise, as well as stubborn.
    “All I can tell you is that I have my reasons for wanting to stay here, for needing to stay here, but they have nothing to do with why I want you.”
    He gave her a sharp look of censure. “You’re a regular broken record, aren’t you?”
    “I’m thirty years old. I can’t claim to be innocent or pure. Far from it. I’m ambitious and determined to have my own way. Once I set my mind to do something, no one can stop me. But I’m not a hooker.”
    “Whatever you are, you’re too damn pushy.”
    Bold she’d always be, and she believed in going after what she wanted. She wanted Bryan. “I know.”
    She put her hands on his chest, felt his strong heartbeat, the clench of muscles. He gripped her wrists, holding her still, ready to put her away from him.
    And a woman burst into the room.
    Huge green eyes took in the kitchen scene in a flash as she skidded to a halt. With an expression of delight, she leered at the preacher. “Hey, sweetcheeks. You weren’t about to do something naughty, now were you?”
    Shay stared. The woman looked to be in her mid-twenties, had dark red hair sprayed and gelled and teased to stand out like a wavy halo around her oval face. Her lips, painted crimson and with enough shine to blind passersby, were open in a wide smile. She wore a white tank top with no bra, and her stretch shorts were much too short, proving she didn’t wear underpants. Paired up with chunky wedge sandals, it was quite an eye-catching outfit.
    Aggrieved, Bryan said, “Morganna,” by way of greeting. “I was about to call you down to ask if you’d show Shay a room to use. She’s moving in.”
    Cocking out one well-rounded hip, Morganna teased, “Yeah, sure, dollface. That’s what it looked like you were gonna do.”
    Bryan winked at her, which seemed to startle the woman, then he disengaged Shay’s hands. “I’m heading out. Morganna, help Shay get settled in, okay?”
    “You betcha.”
    Shay almost panicked. “But where are you going?”
    Morganna snorted. “He’s afraid of gettin’ raped if he hangs out with us at night. Not that I blame him.” She gave Bryan a lingering once-over, then blew him a kiss. “It’s a waste, not to be using that prime bod.”
    “Behave, Morganna.”
    “Now, sugarplum, what fun would that be?”
    Bryan gave up with a rusty chuckle. “Lock the door after me, and remember—”
    “Don’t open it to no one unless I know they’re supposed to be here.”
    “Exactly.”
    Shay watched him stride off, and not once did he look back at her. She didn’t realize her expression was so wistful until Morganna rudely elbowed her in the side, nearly knocking her off her feet.
    “You’re gawking, tootsie, but then, that man is fine to look at, isn’t he?”
    “He’s gorgeous.”
    “Yeah, but don’t waste your time. Even when the offer is free, he never touches any of us, except to joke around every now and then, or to offer a shoulder to cry on. Besides, that man is made of ice. I swear, it doesn’t matter what a body does to try to attract him, he just treats us all like pals, or little sisters maybe. Now I ask you, do I look like anyone’s little sister? Hell, no.”
    Shay felt herself warming inside. Bryan had covered his reaction well in front of Morganna, but the kiss he’d given her earlier hadn’t been friendly or familial. It had been hot,