Read Hard to Handle for Free Online Page A

her load. “I’m managing just fine on my own.”
    â€œYou look like a walking igloo.”
    â€œActually, it’s refreshing,” she lied—and fought back an icy shiver.
    He smiled, and Stasia marveled that such a handsome man could be an ultimate fighter. Sure, he had a few small scars and a definite kink in his nose. But somehow, that only added to his charm.
    His blond hair, always disheveled, curled up over the rolled edges of his dark knit hat. Even in the slight illumination of her porch light, Harley’s electric blue eyes shone brightly, framed by long, dark brown eyelashes. Many women would kill for eyes like that, but on Harley, they didn’t look feminine so much as imposing.
    â€œI’m leaving tonight,” he suddenly announced. “Right after a few hands of cards with the guys.”
    Her heart sank to the pit of her stomach, which made no sense at all. They had nothing but a business arrangement. What he did and when he did it shouldn’t matter to her at all.
    But damn it, some small kernel of secret desire remained.
    Covering her reaction, Stasia glanced up at the sky in doubt. “Good luck with that. I have a feeling if you hang around for long, you won’t make it out of here.”
    â€œThe roads are probably clearer in town and the Jeep is good in bad weather. But it doesn’t matter. I promised to give a few of the guys a chance to win back the money I’ve been taking from them since I got here.” He flashed a rascal’s grin. “I usually go home with the pot every night.”
    â€œSo you’re a card shark, huh?” His grin was enough to warm her a few degrees. “Is there anything you’re not good at?”
    â€œYeah.” The humor faded from his expression. “A lot of things, actually.”
    Stasia caught the sincerity in his lowered voice, the look in his eyes. “Like what?”
    He shook his head. “We’ll save that for another time.”
    â€œI guess I’ll have to take your word on it then.” With nothing left to do, Stasia nodded. “Well…until next year, Harley.”
    He hesitated, staring at her, holding her captive in that awesome gaze of his until she felt the load of logs slipping. Then he straightened in his seat. “Next year, Anastasia.”
    Why did that sound like a promise?
    Grinning again, he said, “Now get inside before your feet freeze to the spot.” He put his window back up and pulled away.
    Resisting the urge to watch his taillights fade away, Stasia headed for her porch. With Harley now gone, the entire area seemed too quiet and still—a frozen, somehow eerie wasteland.
    Unsettled, she looked around, noting the moon shadows, the few hushed animal sounds. And something else.
    The snap of a twig.
    The crunch of steps on ice.
    Her eyes widened, trying to see beyond the glow of her porch light. Tall evergreens swayed from a bitter wind, and the cold settled into her bones, making her shiver.
    Probably a deer, she decided. Or a fox. Dismissing any thoughts of danger, Stasia rushed inside, dropped the wood in the bin near the stove, and secured her door.
    At least her cabin was nice and toasty, and well lit.
    To fight off her strange mood, she turned up her rock music and delved into researching possible clients for her next job. These days, she always did extensive research on anyone asking to hire her. No way did she ever again want to find herself in an explosive situation like her last.
    A few hours later Stasia had just finished a long shower and was about to put on her pajamas when the phone rang.
    Jarred from introspective thoughts, she jumped, then stuck her head out of the bathroom to grab a quick glance at the clock. She couldn’t imagine who might be calling her so late. With a towel wrapped tightly around herself, she darted out and grabbed up the portable phone off her dining table.
    â€œHello?”
    â€œAnastasia