Free Enchanted by Judith Leger Page B

associates. There had never been time for any type of relationship. Until now, she hadn’t realized she possessed an ounce of passion. But if her reaction to the dream was any sign, well, she definitely had an overabundance of the emotion.
    Several minutes passed before calmness came to her. Her gaze wandered over the building’s facade across the street. She searched for something, anything to distract her thoughts. Her foster mother had often made her count to not only control her temper but also to help her focus. She concentrated on the building in front of her. Following a line of windows, she counted the frames to the bottom floor.
    It didn’t help.
    She didn’t care for the location of her apartment but her foster parents, Bill and Annie Reynolds, had sold it to her for an excellent price. They were good to her, and she missed seeing their loving faces every day. Both had died instantly in an automobile crash a couple of years ago.
    Since counting was useless, she wondered what advice Annie would give her about Shay. Caitlyn smiled, imaging her foster mother’s gentle, caring voice warning her to be careful around strangers. Annie had warned they might take advantage of her. At the memory of her foster parents, Caitlyn relaxed, rested her forearms on the banister and looked up at the sky. No stars tonight. The ever-present haze over Los Angeles prevented the light from shining through.
    Yes, she needed to be careful around Evers. She had to keep that in mind during the interview. Determination pulled back her shoulders. She would succeed and move forward with her life. She’d promised Bill and Annie that they didn’t need to worry about her. She intended to fulfill her promise.
    Faint music floated on the night air, bringing her gaze to the street corner. There, a man leaned against the lamppost. Dark hair fell around his broad shoulder; his slim build was hidden under a black overcoat. The sight of him shot a tingle through her stomach. Something about him seemed familiar.
    Loose-limbed, he moved away from the corner to a sleek black sports car parked at the curb. He strode around the front of the car, opened the door and slipped in. The engine ignited, and the car took off.
    Her gaze stayed riveted on the vehicle until it disappeared down the street. She sagged once it sped out of sight.
    Rest. She needed rest. Her imagination was running away with her. The man reminded her of Shay with his shape and the way he moved, but that didn’t mean the stranger with the car was the illusionist. Right now, Evers was on board his jet, hours away from here, heading for Wales. There wasn’t any way he was still in Los Angeles, much less outside her apartment. Besides, he didn’t know where she lived.
    Determined to unwind before Kramer arrived, she headed inside and grabbed the remote. She glanced at the television and froze.
    On the screen, Shay Evers sat behind the wheel of a black sports car. The door opened, and he stepped out wearing a long dark coat. He stared at the camera for a second, then he grinned and winked.
    The remote fell from her numb fingers, and she was unable to stop staring at the screen as the edges of the room narrowed under the onslaught of darkness.
     

 
    Chapter 10
     
    “Don’t play games with her.”
    Shay shifted and opened his eyes. He stretched his legs and propped his feet on the seat across from him in an attempt to keep his body relaxed. Damn Rhys. He knew what Shay had been doing, and he had the gall to interrupt. Determined not to let the older man sense his tension, he rolled his head against the seat.
    Caitlyn.
    Guilt seared him. He glanced at Rhys. The tall blond radiated anger as he continued to speak, pacing back and forth in the plane’s luxurious interior.
    “First the tale about the tree, and now you’re seducing her along with frightening her. Do not make the mistake of pushing me too far, my boy. I could cause the thorns to grow inward on you. I don’t believe you