Read Inside the Lines: Without a Trace series, a contemporary erotic romance novel for Free Online

anyway. Hardly heavy enough to do much damage.”
    “What the hell are you doing here?” I ask, surprise turning to wariness.
    “Lookin’ for ye, as it turns out.” He’s dressed in jeans and a button-down shirt that hangs loose from his broad shoulders. His auburn hair curls around his collar, still damp from a recent shower, and he smells like the same yummy cologne from our last meeting, as well as fresh grass.
    My throat dries out as I look up at him, the pure sexiness of him a bit overwhelming, which only serves to irritate me more. “Really? Oh, I guess I do owe you money, come to think about it.” I’d promised Stephen a cut of Ari’s payment, but since he didn’t show up, I hadn’t sent him the cash. I create a note on my phone. “Just give me your PayPal information, and I can send it.”
    “Oh. Well, that’s okay, then. That’s not what I’m here about.”
    He pronounces “about” like “a-boot,” and I smile despite myself. “Then what can I do for you?”
    His large hand rubs the back of his neck in a familiar motion. “Aye, well, I wondered if, ye know, I could book ye?”
    “Book me?” I arch an eyebrow. “For what, pray tell?”
    “Weel, ye know, for services, like. Er, whatever ye call it.”
    Shit. The downside to not following my own rules means this guy now thinks I’m a fucking prostitute. “Yeah, well, I’m not available.” I push past him, my embarrassment complete. I hear him call my name—another mistake, as all my clients know me as Mistress Hathaway, not Lux—but I keep walking. While I love a sexy high-heeled boot, you don’t have the same traction as you would with, say, sneakers. I focus on the back exit that only regulars know about, and when the cool evening air hits my face, I take a deep, cleansing breath.
    “Lux?”
    And Scotty followed me. “Do you seriously not know when to back off? Or is being obnoxious part of your charm?”
    My fury forces him back a step, his confusion evident. “I—look, I’ve clearly said something to upset ye, and that wasna my goal. I just wanted to see ye again, and I didn’t want ye to think I was cheap. I apologize if I’ve offended ye.”
    I glare at him, but his logic seeps past my rage. “So this is you trying to ask me out?” The back alley surrounds us with cement and asphalt, our voices echoing in the cramped space.
    He holds back an uncomfortable smile, looking appropriately chastised. “Aye, I guess it was, though I’ve made a fair mess of it.” He drops his arms to his sides and blows out a breath. “Can I try again? Will ye let me, Mistress?” His eyes twinkle with renewed humor.
    Those greenish blue orbs and his easy manner are appealing, in addition to his raw, seemingly innocent, sexiness. It doesn’t hurt that I also know what he’s got under those jeans, and I wouldn’t mind test-driving it myself. “I’ll give you one get-out-of-jail-free card. Ruin it, and there’s no hope for you.”
    He laughs. “Fair ‘nough.” He sobers and meets my challenging gaze. “Mistress—Lux, rather, may I take ye to dinner?”
    I’m surprised to find my mouth curving up at the invitation. And there’s an odd trill in my stomach as I accept. I feel like I’m back in high school, and the guy I’ve had a crush on is finally looking my way.
    “Friday night, then? Around seven?”
    I agree to the time, as well as where to meet.
    “See you then,” he says as I walk away.
    I turn. “Don’t be late.” I level my gaze at him, lips curved.
    He nods, his crooked grin disarming. “Never.”

Chapter 7
    Second Thoughts
    Dating. It’s the bane of my existence. I want to skip past all the awkward glances and uncomfortable silences, weird attempts at conversation, and talking over each other accidentally…I want to hop forward to the part where you’re like Ella and Ian. When they’re together, they move as one. He’ll sit on the couch, and she’ll automatically tuck her feet against him so he can rub the