Free Provocative Peril by Annette Broadrick

fascinating at four o'clock in the morning.
    "You didn't answer my question," she prompted.
    "What was your question?"
    "Why are you still awake?"
    He gave her a lopsided grin that caused her to draw a shaky breath. "Because I'm reading a captivating book with an intriguing plot and I can't put it down."
    "Oh. What's it about?" She perched on the edge of the chair.
    "I haven't the faintest idea." He lost the battle with his conscience and allowed his gaze to feast on the delectable curves accented by the clever creation she wore.
    "Clay?"
    His gaze wandered to her face, where he noticed her flushed cheeks and the worried expression in her eyes. "Yes?"
    "I'm sorry for losing my temper earlier."
    "That makes two of us."
    "I really am ashamed of myself." Her vulnerable eyes looked at him with a pleading expression. "You've been so nice to me, letting me stay here, and then I go and attack you like that."
    "Look, Carolyn, you don't owe me any apologies. You were right."
    "Right?"
    "Yes. I saw you and your friend in front of the room. It would have been no trouble for me to enter through the back way. It was a despicable thing to do, and I'm the one ashamed of myself."
    They sat there quietly, contemplating his confession. Finally, Carolyn broke the silence. "Do I really seem to be a scalp hunter to you, Clay?"
    "What difference does it make what I think?" He picked up his glasses and twirled them by one of the stems.
    "I'm not sure, but I discovered tonight that it does. I came to the coast to get rid of the old Carolyn Kenniwick, the bore who does nothing but work, who doesn't have time to develop friendships, and I thought the new Carolyn would be more interesting if she dressed the part."
    Clay's grin lit up his face. "Hey, lady, I'm not knocking the way you dress; don't get me wrong.
    I've become quite an admirer of designer jeans . . . among other things." Once again his gaze touched the neckline of her robe. "As far as getting rid of the old Carolyn Kenniwick, I hope you won't do that." His smile was very tender as he added softly, "I rather like her, myself."
    Carolyn stared into his blue eyes, mesmerized. "You know something, Clay? One of the nicest things that's happened to me on my vacation is meeting you," she said in a wondering voice. They were both quiet as they stared into each other's eyes.
    "I think you'd better get some sleep. I'm sure you've got a big day planned." He reached over and picked up a glass on the table, draining it.
    Carolyn stood, a little shaken at what had passed between them. She wasn't at all sure what it meant, but she knew she felt more at peace with herself and closer to Clay than she'd ever felt toward any other person.
    She paused at the top of the stairs. "Good night."
    "Sweet dreams," he replied.
    Sweet dreams, he thought with disgust. She'll go upstairs and sleep, relieved to have their fight resolved. Did she even understand the knots he was in, being around her? He tried to read, then discovered he had no idea what he'd been reading. Glancing at his watch, he absently noted that it was six o'clock. What was he going to do if he didn't intend to succumb to the luscious temptation presented by his rather naive roommate? He continued to lay there, and a face drifted across his mind. Selena Stanford. What he needed was to get his mind off his present situation. Selena was just the one to help him.
    He picked up the phone and dialed.
    It rang several times before a husky, very sleepy voice answered. "H'lo."
    "Good morning, Selena."
    "Clay!" The voice suddenly sounded wide awake. "You monster! Where have you been?"
    He moved the phone slightly away from his ear, then grinned. "I'm on my vacation, honey. I told you I was going."
    "I know what you told me," came over the wire. "You didn't bother telling me where, you louse."
    "That's why I'm calling. I was wondering if you'd be interested in coming to Oregon to keep an old friend from getting too lonesome."
    "Oregon! Why are you up there?