Free An Extraordinary Match (The Match Series Book 3) by Barbara Dunlop Page A

kicked himself for engaging in the conversation.
    “The ones in the lounge last night. You asked me if I knew them.”
    “You didn’t.”
    She shook her head. “No, I didn’t. But they knew me. And they framed me.”
    Logan blinked himself back to reality, dragging his gaze from her. “Now you’re just making it up as you go along.”
    She turned back to Amy, obviously realizing she was a more sympathetic listener. “I’ve been kicked out of the hotel. I can’t get a flight to Denver for three days. Believe me or not, but I need to stay well away from Ewan and John.”
    “You know their names?” Logan asked.
    She looked at him again, causing his chest to contract. “They introduced themselves. I’m sorry to barge in like this. I know you think I’ve harmed your family. I only wanted to ask if you’d fly me to Denver.”
    “He’ll fly you to Denver,” said Amy.
    “He will not,” Logan countered. Jade had gotten herself into this mess. She could bloody well get herself out.
    “What the hell is your problem?” Amy demanded.
    “ My problem? You’re the one buying into this crap. This con artist spent yesterday grilling me about the family, our businesses, setting us up to rip us off.”
    “You’re rewriting history,” said Jade.
    “What happened yesterday?” asked Amy.
    “Nothing,” both Logan and Jade answered simultaneously.
    Amy drew back in obvious surprise. “Fine. Okay. Logan will fly you to Denver in the morning. For tonight, you can stay with me.”
    “What?” Logan barked. Let Jade loose in the family home with nobody to watch her but Amy? There’d be nothing left by morning.
    Amy came to her feet. “She is not sleeping on the street.”
    “Well, she’s not going to have the run of Mom and Dad’s house, either.”
    “Good grief, Logan. She’s not going to steal the silver.”
    “We don’t know that. She can stay with me.” He was in a much better position to keep an eye on her, and stop her if she tried anything overnight.
    “Well, that’s inappropriate,” said Amy.
    “Take it or leave it,” he said to Jade. “But if you want my help, I am not taking my eyes off you until your feet hit the tarmac in Denver.”
    Her hand tightened on the small purse in her lap as she looked up. “I’ll take it,” she told him softly.
    Once again, her eyes seemed to flare into his, changing the pressure in his chest and inappropriately engaging his sympathies.
    Man, she was good.
    *
    Taking in the layout of Logan’s small house, Jade tried to tell herself there was a bright side to being here. She might be on the receiving end of Logan’s animosity and distrust, but he was unlikely to toss her in an offshore prison or demand she work for him in a questionable high-tech organization. And the last place Ewan and John would look for her was with a member of the Edwards family.
    Unsure of what to do, she parked her suitcase next to the brown leather sofa and simply stood there. The room was warm and cozy, with throw rugs on hardwood floors, an open-beam ceiling and a natural stone fireplace. Logan had moved into the kitchen. She could hear the sounds of running water and clattering dishes.
    She forced herself to follow him. “Do you mind if I use your shower?”
    He stilled, his back to her, seeming to decide if there was anything of value in his bathroom. The moment stretched, and her discomfort grew.
    “I won’t steal the condoms,” she joked.
    He turned his head to glare at her.
    She decided to be honest. What did she have left to lose? “I smell like the holding cells. It’s not pleasant.”
    He gave a brisk nod. “Top of the stairs. Take a right.”
    “Thank you.”
    He didn’t answer, but turned on the faucet again, turning away.
    She carried her suitcase up the stairs, telling herself she’d get through this and that her current circumstances were far better than the alternative. After all, it would have been a very long, very chilly night on the streets of Mirror Falls.