Free Secrets and Seduction: 5 Romance Novels by Shay Lacy Page B

have no proof he actually pushed his wife,” Brian said. “Just that he lied. She could have tripped. You can’t make false accusations against him.”
    “Fine. I’ll heed your warning. For now.” Marisa turned to Nick. “I enjoyed our time together. We’ll go out again tomorrow.”
    For a charged moment everything buzzed between them — the possibilities and the problems. His desire for her was a living, breathing thing. His offer of himself, his body, was there, unspoken.
    All that existed was Marisa and her fire. He wanted to warm himself in it. He wanted the flames to consume him.
    Marisa took a step back, breaking the tableau. Then she walked back to her car.
    “Whew!” Brian exclaimed. “What’s going on between the two of you?”
    “Nothing.” Everything. Nick had found life again, but when he left at the end of this week, he’d leave it behind.
    “She’s vulnerable.”
    Nick rubbed his forehead. “I know.”
    “So are you.”
    Nick’s gaze jerked to his friend’s. “What are you talking about?”
    “Nick, this is the most like yourself you’ve been since you got here. I barely knew you when you arrived. There was no joy in you at all, no life. Now I can almost see the man I went to college with. And it’s due to her. Marisa Avalos is passionate and alive. You’re vulnerable to that right now.”
    “I won’t give up spending time with her, if that’s what you’re asking.” It was a solemn oath.
    “I’m just saying be careful, for both your sakes.”
    • • •
    When Marisa walked through her office door, her mother nearly bounced with excitement. “Grace at the plant called to say the stockholder’s meeting is postponed until tomorrow due to trouble at the plant. I heard the intake pipe is blocked.”
    “Thank God. I’ve just come from the docks where Deputy Nash is sending out divers.”
    Anjelita hugged herself. “Our prayers are answered. The town meeting will be held first and we will find a way to stop Scott.”
    “I hope so.” Marisa debated telling her mother what she’d learned today, but decided her mother should enjoy her moment of happiness.

CHAPTER 9
    Nick climbed the front steps of the huge Victorian that housed Marisa’s apartment. The street of old houses this high up on the hillside commanded an excellent view of the harbor. He wondered if this big house reminded her of the Easterling estate where she’d grown up.
    He should have called to tell her he was coming over. But he felt nervous, like she’d say no. He just wanted to accompany her to the town meeting. What was wrong with that?
    The front screen door was ajar a few inches. His city-bred security consciousness was appalled. But this was Watkins Glen where they had very little crime. He decided to go up to Marisa’s apartment instead of buzzing her from outside.
    As he put his foot on the first riser, he heard a door close above him and light quick footsteps coming down the stairs. Marisa. His heart rate sped up. He couldn’t believe how eager he was to see her.
    She rounded the landing into view, looking alive with vitality. She wore a blue-flowered dress that made her look very feminine. Her eyes widened when she saw him and she smiled. His breath caught and his heart took wing.
    As she stepped down, he noticed something small and round on the stairs. All her concentration was on him. Before he could shout an alarm, Marisa’s foot hit it and she pitched forward.
    With a surge of adrenalin, Nick sprang toward Marisa, desperate to catch her before she hit her head as she fell. He leaped the last three steps and grasped her out-flung arms, using her downward momentum to pull her body against his. She hit him with an oomph that propelled him backwards. His back hit the floor with a painful thud, and her body slammed against his front with an almost equal force.
    He lay there winded, staring up at the high wood ceiling and trying to calm his speeding pulse. She was safe! He looked at her and managed