Fool Me Once Read Online Free Page A

warning bells that were ringing in the back of her mind.
What she needed was to be with Josh again – to feel that shimmer of awareness
that danced over her skin when she looked into his eyes.
    A
smile of remembrance lingered on her lips as she rode up to the stable. “Thank
you, Steves,” she said, handing the reins to the groom. “I’ll just run over to
the house and see what’s keeping Justine.” She set off across the yard,
speaking softly to the Irish setter who had wandered out to meet her.
    “Hello
the house.” She entered the kitchen as the sun spilled through the windows.
Alex was at the kitchen table, reading a newspaper.
    “Hello,
Olivia. You’re up early. Off for a ride, are you?” His gaze drifted back to the
paper.
    “I
thought I was. Where’s Justine?”
    “She’s
gone back to bed. Asked me to tell you she wasn’t feeling well and that she
hopes you’ll come over for a visit this afternoon.” Looking up again he shot
her a puzzled look. “But I thought you were riding with Josh. He’s down at the
stables now, waiting for you. I told him he could ride Luther.”
    “Josh?”
Her breath quickened. He must have been inside the stables when she arrived.
    “Yes,
Josh. You know…tall, broad-shouldered chap. You met him yesterday, or so he
tells me.”
    “Is
that so?” Olivia planted her hands on her hips. “And what else did he tell
you?”
    “Nothing.”
Alex looked at her sharply. “What are you getting at?”
    “I
don’t know.” She sat down with a soft groan.
    “What
is it? He peered impatiently over the top of the newspaper.
    “What
do you know about him, Alex?” Olivia hated herself for asking, but she had to
know. “What’s he really like? Have you been to his ranch in Montana?”
    Alex
lowered the paper slowly. “I met him when I did my military service. We did
some joint exercises with the American Special Forces unit. Josh was tops in
all disciplines.” He smiled wryly. “And he could charm the birds out of the
trees. But no, I’ve never had the time to go to Montana. We manage to get
together about once a year, usually when I’m in New York or on the West Coast.”
He paused. “I must say, this current visit was a bit of a surprise. He called
up and asked if he could pop out for a visit. Why do you ask?”
    “Because
he’s off to the Mediterranean in a few days, and I’m thinking of going with him.”
    Alex
reached for his coffee cup and seemed disappointed to see that it was empty.
Olivia recognized that he was stalling for time, organizing his thoughts. She
waited.
    “I
would trust Josh Morgan with my life. I want to make sure you understand that.”
    Olivia
sensed what was coming.
    “But
getting involved with him is something else altogether. Not a wise idea,
Olivia. He’s wealthy, he’s charming, and women can’t seem to get enough of him.
He’ll break your heart.”
    She
nodded, but she wasn’t really listening to his warning. “Special Forces? Isn’t
that the equivalent of our SAS?” Her antennae had popped up at the mention of
Special Forces. Could there be a story here?
    He
sat back and looked at her and for a moment it was as if he were somewhere
else. Then his eyes focused on her again. “They’re a special breed of men,
Livvy. They have their own set of rules.” He toyed with his cup. “Having said
that, I have to tell you I admire him greatly. But my advice is, don’t get
involved.”
    “Who
said anything about getting involved?” She forced a light laugh. “That’s the
last thing that interests me.” She rose and poured more coffee into his cup,
resting her hand briefly on his shoulder. “Thanks, Alex. Thanks for helping me
to make up my mind.”
    She
stepped out into the warmth of the rising sun. This scenario was getting more
interesting by the moment. She made a mental checklist. Charismatic American.
Wealthy rancher. High stakes poker. Former member of America’s elite Special
Forces. Her nose twitched, the way it always did