Free Eternally Bound: Paranormal Romance Boxed Set by T.J. Michaels Page B

bad guy and I’ve managed to elude the woman who’s been following me.”
    “You all right, Del?”
    A tremulous smile replaced her giddy one. All she could afford to spare him was a glance as she said, “Sure, Justin. Just great.”
     
    * * * * *
     
    Justin could have kicked himself in the teeth. His question about her work had put her completely on edge. And that was the last place he wanted her. He knew what it was like to be asked that question. He hoped Delaine wouldn’t go there and ask him—he didn’t want to lie to her. But she was a smart woman and would probably pick up on his hedging sooner rather than later.
    When they pulled into the parking lot at Austin’s, before she could get out of the car, he turned in his seat, reached for her and practically hauled her into his lap. Justin poured everything into that kiss. Everything he couldn’t say and everything he wasn’t supposed to feel rippled through him as his lips unerringly found hers. He couldn’t remember ever feeling so anxious.
    Delaine pulled back with an alarmed expression on her face. Breathing ceased and he just knew he was busted. Why else would she be looking at him like that? Then the deep lines in her forehead softened. He leaned into her hands as the smooth leather of her gloves glided over one side of his face.
    “Justin, honey, what’s wrong? What is it?” He liked it when she called him honey.
    “Nothing, beautiful. Just,” he sighed, “a lot of things on my mind.” That was putting it lightly. “One of which is when I’ll have some time alone with you. Rain check, remember?”
    Her smile twinkled up to her eyes and the iron grip around his lungs loosened. Maybe she hadn’t figured him out after all. At least, not yet.
    Inside the luncheon spot, she ordered for him and he enjoyed ox tails, jerk chicken, beans and rice and some kind of meat pie that was out of this world. And she’d been right. It was nice and warm, with the perfect amount of spicy heat. Just like her.
    Back at Astin, he jumped out of the car, ran around to her side and opened the door for her. She gaped up at him, drew her brows down into a serious frown, then her expression brightened again. What the hell was going on with these cartwheeling emotions he’d felt rolling off her the whole time they’d been together today? They’d shared an easy conversation over lunch, along with soft touches of hands and sweet kisses. But when it was time to return to the office Delaine had been all over the map. One minute she was happy and smiling, the next she was wary and then sad. And seeing her in such a tangle of emotions just wasn’t palatable. The need to protect her welled up in his chest. Even if it meant shielding her from her own feelings.
    He stood in front of the car door, not letting her out.
    “The weekend starts tonight and I’m still waiting on my answer.” He was glad she didn’t pretend not to know what he was talking about.
    “Call me in the morning,” her voice sultry and warm as she traced a finger over his bottom lip before snatching her hand back with a giggle when he tried to bite her.
    Backing up a step, Justin watched her climb out of the car with fluid grace and walk toward the building. The wink she cast over her shoulder made his heart flip-flop in his chest. He tried not to watch her move away, but damned if he could help it. Even through her long wool cloak, her ass seemed to call to him on a cellular level, along with her smile, her charm, her strong but sweet personality. Damn, he could really love a woman like her.
     

 
    Chapter Seven
     
    Delaine groaned and rolled over on her back, shielding her eyes from the bright light seeping through the drawn curtains. Lately it seemed like she was always waking up to the ringing of her telephone. One eye cracked open to check the clock. Ten a.m. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and sat up with a start. Crap! Here she was again with only an hour to make it to Pam’s.
    The