Summer Magic Read Online Free Page A

lush fullness of her mouth. A mouth that pouted and one that curved in the most beguiling smile he had ever seen on a woman.
    He stared at her mouth behind the lenses of his sunglasses, watching it move and form words. But it took several seconds before he realized Caryn was addressing him.
    “I’m sorry,” he apologized. “My mind was somewhere else.”
    “I said that I’m going to the supermarket. I’ll meet you back here.”
    Logan nodded. “Okay.” He leapt from his seat and came around the front of the Jeep and opened her door. His fingers curved around her waist, and he swung her effortlessly to the ground.
    Caryn stared up at him, momentarily stunned by the gesture, then glanced over his shoulder. “Is there something you’ll need that I can pick up for you?” His hands fell away from her body as he took a backward step.
    “No.”
    Her eyebrows shot up at his sharp retort. What was it about him that made his moods so mercurial? The sooner she settled into the house and established a routine where she would not come into contact with him, the better.
    Clamping her jaw tightly, she turned and walked away from him. She knew the heat scorching her back was not only from the sun but also Logan’s burning black eyes. She took a quick glance over her shoulder and saw him leaning against the door to the Jeep, watching her intently.
    The heat in her face increased when she realized she wanted him to watch her. As ill-tempered as he was, she wanted him to find her attractive.
    He’s dangerous
, whispered a small voice in her head.
    Shrugging a slender shoulder, she walked into the minimarket through the parking lot exit, temporarily dismissing the image of her summer housemate.
    He was dangerous only if a woman chose to become involved with him, and she had no intention of becoming involved with him or any other man—at least not this summer.

Chapter Three
    Caryn pulled a shopping cart from the stack of more than a half dozen lined up along the passage leading from the minimarket to the parking lot.
    She walked up and down the narrow aisles, filling the basket with dairy products, flour, sugar, and several different varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables. Impressed with the appearance of what appearded to be quality meat, she selected packaged steaks, chicken, and hamburgers.
    Steering the cart to the checkout counter, she quickly scanned her purchases, hoping she did not forget anything.
    The tall, blond checkout clerk flashed her a winning dimpled smile. “Good afternoon.”
    She offered him a friendly smile in return. “Good afternoon.”
    “Are you here for the summer?”
    Caryn continued to unload her shopping cart, placing her purchases on the counter. “Yes.”
    The sun-bronzed youth wiped his right hand down the front of his white apron, then extended it. “Chris Barnett.”
    She took the proffered hand. “Caryn Edwards.”
    Chris’s gold-flecked brown eyes swept appreciably over her face and body. “If you need someone to show you where the
real
action is let me know.”
    Withdrawing her hand, she nodded. “Thanks for the offer.”
    He continued ringing up her order, his practiced smile in place. “Where are you staying?”
    She knew if she didn’t tell him, he would find out within an hour. “I’m staying at the Crawfords’ place.”
    “Cool spot,” Chris drawled. “If you need help settling in or if you get lonely sometime … call me. I work during the day, but I’m free at night.” Reaching for a small paper bag, he scrawled a telephone number on it and handed it to her.
    A large dark hand swept the bag with the number from her fingers before she was given the opportunity to glance at one of the digits. “Forget it, kid,” Logan drawled, his voice low and threatening.
    Caryn felt faint as her heart pumped wildly in an erratic rhythm. And judging from the loss of color in Chris’s face, he also hadn’t noticed Logan when he walked into the minimarket.
    “Logan!” Her own