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His eyes traveled a slow path up and down her body, and then settled on her face "You know, I’ve always thought you were quite beautiful when you’re angry Soet you fired up just to watch the way your eyes sparkle when your temper flares" He stepped closer and reached to touch her cheek

Lauren turned her head to avoid his touch "Don’t," she bit out

He pulled his hand away, but his eyes felt like a ether, you and I"

"Brad, stop," Lauren said, looking at hi him to see the distaste in her eyes

"You’re afraid of hoould look," he said, his hand going to the bookcase beside her, trapping her in a corner "But you shouldn’t be We aren’t blood relatives You lost your mother You found me The press will eat it up We’ll be everyone’s love story"

She shut the book "You’re talking craziness, Brad"

His hand slid to her cheek and she slapped it away Panic rushed over her He never touched her and that he did now set off warning bells She tried to step around hiotten into you?" she derin filled his face as his head dipped toward her "You have, and I’d like to get into you"

She’d always thought he was a little off soht him a little too like some of the unsavory types she put behind bars, but he’d taken it to a whole new level today She inhaled slowly,with people like Brad "I’ive you three seconds tomy knee to your crotch and make sure you know it’s there One Two Three" Heevilly

She yanked her phone fro roo sick Of course, Sharon ne will do that to you’ but Lauren let it ride She just wanted out of the house, out of this house And sadly, she wasn’t sure that wasn’t exactly what Brad, and Sharon, wanted Lauren was the intruder, the outsider She couldn’t coood Her father wanted Sharon and he wouldn’t risk losing her; she’d learned that the hard way too many times to count But ironically, neither could Sharon and Brad quite get rid of Lauren And for the first ti for her home, for a family that wasn’t a family at all In fact, she was so done with this, that she wondered if et what they really want Maybe Lauren should just go away and stay away

Chapter Seven

It was seven-thirty on the dot and Lauren sat at her kitchen table, her laptop open A thunderous knock sounded on her front door, and a sed at Lauren’s lips despite her nervousness over seeing Royce again There was simply no doubt that he was her visitor, as there see that man did in a ser anticipation, Lauren stood up and ran her hands over her light blue, long-sleeved dress, where it tapered at her waist Her gaze dropped to ensure her skirt rested properly just above her knees, then to inspect her strappy black sandals, so here it should be

She inhaled a deep, cal herself ti dry even before she took in the sight hethere, soer than she remembered His hair was loose around his shoulders, black slacksa stellar chest and arrin that all but had her , Lauren" His voice was velvety soft and full of welcome male appreciation

"Thank you," she said, her own voice a bit hoarser than it should have been, but then, it wasn’t often a girl had a man like this at her door, ready to take her to dinner while looking like he wanted to eat her for dinner She stepped back into the hallway "Come in"

A moment later the door was closed, and they stood toe-to-toe, the scent of hi her senses Delicately, she cleared her throat "I should getaround her, pulling her close "I’ve been thinking about kissing you all afternoon" He nuzzled her neck "So, can I?" His lips brushed her ear "Can I kiss you, Lauren?"

Her hands settled on his shoulders and she laughed softly, surprised yet again by this er, or any of the otherher smile this much They darn sure didn’t ? After last night?"

With an easy step, he s and pinning her with his body "Last night was driven by chaht is just about you and entle He leaned toward her, intending to kiss her, and she couldn’t wait She lifted up on her tiptoes to meet him halfway, but he didn’t let her have his ht have been, what she hoped would be, and asked, "Is that a yes?"