Perfecting the Odds Read Online Free

couldn’t pinpoint which ingredient made it that delicious, so he finally decided, it didn’t really matter. That whatever he inadvertently made was a union of experimental perfection.
    And that unexplainable perfection rolled between them like a wave coursing for shore.
    “ Karis”--she said before clearing her throat-- “Karis Bennett.” He smirked at the repetition of her name in James Bond fashion. Definitely nervous. Michael squeezed her small hand before breaking the connection, and damn if the air didn’t crack, as disappointed with the separation as he was.
    “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Karis, Karis Bennett,” he answered quietly. Her chest rose with a quick shot of breath, and he savored that little victory.
    “Uh m, listen, Michael. You seem nice enough, but I-I’m really not in the mood to talk, so if you don’t mind…” Her request trailed as she took a sip of her drink and rubbed her temples with slim index fingers. Ice bath round two on his arousal. Something was definitely wrong and that bothered him more than he’d like to admit. Yes, Michael could be a pompous jerk, but he wasn’t an asshole by any means. Hell, when his father died, he all but raised his younger sisters. But he wasn’t one to push his help on someone or pry into issue that had nothing to do with him. So then why the hell did he want to ask her what was wrong something fierce? Why was she in a ‘bitchy’ mood? Why did she continue to sigh and hold her head? Why did she look like she hadn’t slept in days? Did someone hurt her? Was she in pain? These questions swarmed in his head like horde of angry bees. And then it was like one of those little bastards stung him and the questions halted… for first time ever, he was the one asking the questions he’d avoided like the plague, and didn’t really give a fuck. He had to do something.
    He gripped his glass, fighting hard not to claim that kissable mouth just to distract from whatever crammed her thoughts. “Karis, what do you say we just sit here and get blitzed together? In silence of course.” She shut her eyes, but then released a breath and a sexy grin formed. Damn right , he cheered inwardly.
    “Sounds more perfect than you know, Mr. Finn,” she said, glancing briefly in his direction. Then she raised her glass, and he clinked his against it. He couldn’t help but follow with a wink and relished the blush that tinted her cheeks.
    And they sat there in silence, with that unexplainable energy swirling around them. She sipped her drink almost rhythmically, ordered another, and grated her teeth over her bottom lip contemplatively.
    He almost fell off the stool when she cleared her throat.
    “I apologize for being rude earlier,” she said quietly before gifting him a ghost of a smile. “Really bad day. Hell…really bad few months.” Michael watched her rub her lips together and furrow her brow. It was almost as if she couldn’t help being honest about her emotions. And he liked that, a hell of a lot.
    “Quite alright, Karis.” And with a mind of its own, his hand covered hers, his thumb grazing lightly over her knuckles. Yes, it was selfish, but he needed the comfort of her touch as much as he thought she did his.
    She jerked her hand away, shooting him a look of shock. She held up her left hand, her gaze trailing after it as she pointed to her ring finger. “Shit!” The panic in her eyes mirrored his thought-- Fuck, she’s married! “I can’t believe I forgot it. Damn you, Eve! No wonder you assho--.” She cut off her thought and shoved her head into her palms. He raked his hands through his hair and sighed heavily, an attempt release his disappointment. Isn’t that my fucking luck? He should have noticed the faded line striping her tanned finger.
    Despite the disappointment curdling viciously with the vodka in his stomach, h e mustered some sympathy. “It’s my fault. I should have asked, Karis.” But he couldn’t help but pissed at any man who