Read Housebound for Free Online Page B

Holly?” She shouldn’t have said such a thing. It was less than loyal to her sister, but she had always had trouble controlling her thoughtless tongue.
    â€œSo far, so good,” Noah said with a laugh. “I’m counting on you to protect me.”
    â€œI think you’re more than capable of taking care of yourself,” she said. Pulling down two of the ceramic mugs shehad made several years ago, she poured them both full of the thick, richly scented brew. Fussing with sugar and cream for Noah took another few moments, and then she perched herself on the counter by the sink, her favorite seat, one that she assumed would keep her at a safe distance from the sexy, rumpled man with her in her basement kitchen with only the silent snow for company.
    She assumed wrong. With the effortlessness due to long legs he climbed up beside her, one jeans-clad thigh almost touching hers, and took a sip of the hot coffee.
    If she edged away from him, she’d end up in the sink, a spot both undignified and uncomfortable. Taking a sip of her black coffee, she promptly burned her tongue.
    â€œThough if you’re not interested in Holly,” she added, her mind still working, “then I don’t understand why you accepted her invitation. My sister is hardly subtle—I would have thought she’d made it clear what she had in mind. If you wanted to avoid it I don’t see why you agreed to come.”
    There was a fleeting guilty look that crossed his face like a passing cloud, and then he smiled that impossibly charming smile that effectively banished suspicions. “I like your sister,” he said—not really an explanation. “And I admire her tremendous talent. I was also at loose ends this weekend and the idea of being maneuvered into a weekend affair seemed like a pleasant enough way to pass the time. Quite frankly, I wasn’t interested in much more than that from Holly, but then I knew she wouldn’t be willing to give any more. That’s the problem with great artists—they’re incredibly selfish from necessity.”
    Having grown up sandwiched in between two brilliant artists, Anne could scarcely refute that statement. “What madeyou change your mind, then?” she questioned, taking another cautious sip of her coffee.
    â€œChange my mind?” He was staring down at her, a curious expression in his eyes.
    He was silent for a long moment, a fact Anne could only be grateful for. “I don’t want her to think I’m too easy,” he said finally with a twisted grin. “I want her to respect me.” Before she could push him further he changed the subject. “What kind of coffee is this?”
    â€œSumatran beans. Freshly ground.” At least coffee would be a safe topic of conversation.
    She was wrong. “Do you realize how rare a truly great cup of coffee is?” he countered severely. “Will you run away with me?”
    â€œI thought you weren’t easy,” she murmured, a slight smile in her eyes. “Besides, I don’t think Wilson would like it.”
    â€œWilson?”
    â€œMy fiancé. You remember, the upstanding gentleman,” she prodded, feeling that all too familiar flash of guilt. “This house would fall down around us if I left. I think you’ll have to run away with Holly.”
    He was watching her out of blandly curious eyes. “No way,” he said finally. “She makes instant coffee?”
    Anne was startled. “How did you know that? I thought you hadn’t succumbed to her myriad charms yet.”
    â€œI haven’t. I succumbed to her offer of coffee after you deserted us last night, and that was mistake enough.” He shuddered expressively. “Powdered milk wasn’t much help, either.”
    â€œI could almost find it in my heart to pity you.”
    â€œI was hoping you would. Don’t abandon me to my fate tonight, I beg of you.” He was