Perfecting the Odds Read Online Free Page A

ever let her out of his sight, in her state, in a shitty bar like this?
    It’s a dealbreaker, and you sure as hell aren’t a homewrecker. Retreat now before you get yourself into something not even you can talk your way out of.
    “Excuse me, Michael,” she threw over her shoulder before sliding off her stool. She walked toward the dance floor, and he dropped his head dejectedly.
    Screw this. He needed air and made his way up the death stairs.
     
     
     

Chapter 3  
     
    As soon as he inhaled his first lungful of unseasonably hot May air, the doors to the bar flung open almost ramming into his back. Karis gasped as if coming out of water. She abruptly turned left, stopped, and whispered, “What was I thinking?” She began to pace: two strides right, two strides left. Michael’s eyes darted back and forth, dizzily trying to figure out what the hell had just happened. Patrolling like a caged lion, she was agitated but still graceful. And, good god , she had amazing legs, muscular yet womanly. She continued her whispered rant: “I don’t wanna be here. I want my sweats, a big frickin’ glass of wine, and bed.”
    Without warning, she stopped and gestured to him without looking up. “Have a cigarette?”
    “I don’t smoke,” he answered politely , his eyes sweeping over her quickly.
    Still staring at the sidewalk, s he swiped the droplets of sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. “Neither do I,” she said then muttered something about ‘weed being better anyway.’ He stifled a laugh with a cough. She returned to pacing, her toned little biceps flexing as she fanned her face with both hands.
    S top staring and talk, Finn . “Is there anything I can do, Karis?”
    Karis ’s eyes widened as her gaze quickly swept over him, and for a moment, her frantic look softened. It was only a few seconds or so, but Michael swore she was indulging, stowing away every detail of his body. Scott had always told Michael women drooled at the sight of him; he hadn’t cared all that much. But Karis’s single glance, a look that suggested she wanted to run her tongue over ever last inch of him, he didn’t want her to stop. Ever. Fuck. His shoved his hands in his pockets to shield the evidence of that thought. His body may have other plans, but she was suffering badly, and of course there was that whole marriage debacle. And even though Michael would never act upon them, he couldn’t deny his pull to her. Karis tempted him more than any woman ever hat, and he was more than unnerved to be drawn to a complete stranger, and by her reaction to the missing ring, she was most likely a happily married stranger.
    Still , he couldn’t move his feet.  Scrupulous reasons about minding his own business and allowing her husband or friend to comfort her rolled around in his head. They should have been enough to move his damn feet. But then again, he could be her friend for a few moments. He would listen. He would help in any way she would allow, and he would comprise neither his nor her morals.
    When she met his eyes again, she realized that he was watching her, watching him. She flushed a lovely pink, and her nervousness had him wondering if she weren’t married, would she have given him a chance. Remorse weighed on him like a wet blanket.
    She cleared her throat again. “Needed to get out of there, too, huh?”
    Relieved by her mood change, he nodded. “Honestly, I hate that damn bar. I only come here for my friend.”
    She wrinkled her nose, drawing his attention to the spattering of freckles. He wondered where else those freckles were scattered, bringing his cock to the ready again. Ease down, Finn. “Yeah, it really is awful. I’ll be shocked if I didn’t contract something when I used the bathroom, and I didn’t actually use it….Hey, do you want some antibacterial?” He chuckled at her sudden mood swing as she began rummaging through her purse.
    “I’m fine . Really. I’m headed home soon anyway.”
    “Oh,