Read Only for the Night (If Only Book 2) for Free Online Page A

haven’t been formally introduced, have we?”
    Sage cleared her throat, the blush that had colored her cheeks before making a quick resurgence. He could practically see images from this morning’s encounter flashing across her mind—and enjoyed every one.
    She wasn’t a coward, though. Embarrassed or not, she straightened her shoulders and faced him head-on. “Hi,” she said. “I’m Sage Lyndsey.”
    And just like this morning, her courage sparked the urge to tame her. He shoved the instinct away and held out his hand, wanting to know her touch as well as her name. “Hank Nash. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
    Satisfaction purred to life as Sage shook hands with him. Her grip was firm, businesslike. Her lips, however, twisted in a rueful smile. “We’ve already met.”
    The words were light, a bit breathless and tense at the same time. She was trying hard. Hank knew his grin had a wolfish edge, but it was impossible to hide. “And that was a pleasure too.”
    Probably a dickhead move to remind her, but the blush he got out of it was so worth it. Even as it faded, he had the craziest need to prompt it to life again.
    “Well, are you going to hold her hand hostage all day, or are you gonna order?”
    “I don’t know, Merry,” Hank said. He released Sage’s hand as slowly as possible and winked as their fingers separated. Only then did he turn to the other woman. “It would be a great way to spend the day.”
    Merry huffed at his antics, but said only, “’Bout time you got home.”
    Chuckling, Hank leaned across the wide counter to hug her. Being over six feet had its advantages.
    “What’s this about ordering, huh?” He squeezed Merry’s rounded shoulders gently before returning upright. His hip settled against the counter like it had a hundred, maybe a thousand times before. “Since when do I have to order? Am I in the doghouse or something?”
    “Only with some people,” Merry said tartly, her glance sliding toward Sage. So she knew. If Sage had been this flustered when she came downstairs, he wasn’t surprised. Alice and Merry were better interrogators than some of the experts he’d known on the LAPD.
    “Besides,” Merry continued, “you don’t have a doghouse. That baby of yours thinks he’s too good for the stuff other dogs have.”
    “Or I do.” Hank chuckled.
    Sage muttered something he couldn’t make out, irritation in those pretty blue eyes. There was definitely no love lost between her and Knight after this morning.
    “So, Sage”—he grinned down at her—“how long will you be staying with me upstairs?” He was beginning to hope it would be a while. He wanted to know a lot of things about his new roomie. A lot of personal things.
    Merry frowned his way.
    “What—”
    Sage interrupted quickly. “I’ll find something right away.”
    Merry frowned in Sage’s direction. “Why? Not like he’s using the room. Besides, he’ll be off again in no time.”
    Not anytime soon, he wouldn’t, but he had no interest in explaining his work complications right now—he was more interested in repairing the damage he’d obviously caused. “Exactly. I’m not trying to rush you out. I enjoy the scenery too much.” Ah, that blush. “You stay as long as you like.”
    “No, I—” Sage stopped, sighed. Her fists balled up noticeably inside her apron pockets. “I haven’t looked for anything permanent yet. All the stuff with buying the market…I’ve just been too busy. I’ll start today, but thank you for the offer.”
    Hank’s nod was automatic, his mind snagged on the word buying . Buying what? Why would she… “You bought the market?”
    Merry snorted. “Alice held back a lot, didn’t she?” She jerked her chin toward the kitchen. “She’s in the back. Better go see her. You can grab your bear claws while you’re in there.”
    Shock held him mute. Merry’s sympathy shone through her faded gray eyes, but she didn’t explain. Whatever was going on was obviously