Breaking Bailey's Rules

There was something so startling about his eyes that her reaction had been physical. For a second, she’d imagined the stroke of his fingers in her hair, the whisper of his heated breath across her lips, the feel of his body pressed hard against hers.

Why was her imagination running wild? She barely knew this man. Her family barely knew him. Yet they had welcomed him to Westmoreland Country without thinking things through. At least, that was her opinion. Was her family so desperate to find more relatives that they had let their guard down? She recalled days when a stranger on their land meant an alarm went out to everyone. Back then, they’d never known when someone from social services would show up for one of their surprise visits.

Knowing Walker was waiting for her to answer, she finally said, “It went well. It was my first day as a features editor and I think I handled things okay. You might even say I did an outstanding job today.”

He chuckled. “No lack of confidence on your part, I see.”

“None whatsoever.” It was dusk and being outside with him, standing by the barn in the shadows, seemed way too intimate for her peace of mind. But there was something she needed to know, something that had been on her mind ever since Josette had brought it up that morning.

Not being one to beat around the bush when it came to things she really wanted to know, she asked, “Are you married, Walker?”

* * *

Walker stared at her, trying to fight the feel of air being sucked from his lungs. Where the hell had that question come from? Regardless, the answer should have been easy enough to give, especially since he hadn’t been truly married even when he’d thought he had been. How could there be a real marriage when one of the parties took betrayal to a whole new level?

Silence reigned. Bailey had to be wondering why he hadn’t answered. He shook off the unpleasant memories. “No. I’m not married.” And then he decided to add, “Nor do I have a girlfriend. Any reason you want to know?”

She shrugged those beautiful shoulders that should be wearing a coat. “No. Just curious. You aren’t wearing a wedding ring.”

“No, I’m not.”

“But that doesn’t mean anything these days.”

“You’re right. Wearing a wedding ring doesn’t mean anything.”

He could tell by her frown that she hadn’t expected him to agree with her. “So you’re one of those types.”

“And what type is that?”

“A man who has no respect for marriage or what it stands for.”

Walker couldn’t force back the wave of anger that suddenly overtook him. If only she knew how wrong she was. “You don’t know me. And since you don’t, I suggest you keep your damn assumptions to yourself.”

Then, with clenched teeth, he walked off.

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.