If you like this online read you'll enjoy Darlene Gardner's books!

Ordinary Girl, Millionaire Tycoon
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A Time To Come Home
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Shea Sullivan might have interpreted the goose bumps skipping down her arms as a sign of attraction rather than a warning if Will Sandusky's reputation hadn't preceded him.

Will expertly pointed out the attributes of the three-bedroom colonial they were walking through in a confident, low-throated voice. Exactly like the good Realtor he was. He also smoothly took every opportunity to chip away at her personal space. Precisely like the player he was.

This wasn't the first house Shea had looked to buy in McIntosh, but it was the first Will had shown her. He was in business with his almost-as-charming uncle, whom she'd dealt with previously, in the small Ohio town at the aptly named Sandusky Real Estate.

Will sidled up beside her when she stopped to admire the railing at the foot of the wooden staircase. He was so close that she could almost feel the warmth of his skin. She could smell him: a hint of soap, the outdoors and man.

"See this scrollwork on the wood." One of his nicely shaped, long-fingered hands stroked the railing with the same care as he might caress a woman. "You won't see any finer. The previous owner commissioned a local carpenter, name of Jim James, who's a genius in his field."

His breath smelled fresh, which she wouldn't have noticed if he'd been standing more than a few inches away. Heeding the dancing goose bumps, she climbed the first two steps to put some distance between them. "The carpenter's name is really Jim James?"

“Jim-Jim for short." Will grinned, his white teeth flashing and blue eyes sparkling against his tanned skin.

He had strong features -- a broad forehead, angled cheekbones, a long nose and a square chin. They were set off by a flattop that might have looked severe on another man. On Will, the hairstyle appeared sexy. But then the man had a body that would make a sculptor drool, a fact evident despite the khakis and knit sweater he wore in deference to the early November chill.

Shea had no difficulty understanding why the girls at McIntosh High had nicknamed him Will the Thrill.

"I remember you from high school," he announced.

Her brows raised. "Somehow, I doubt that. I graduated twelve years ago."

"You used to wear your hair long, straight and parted in the middle." He climbed a single step so they were at eye level. "Sometimes you'd pull the front strands back in two braids to keep them out of your eyes. Not thick braids, but tiny ones that you'd pin at the back of your head. In the cafeteria your senior year, you sat at the table nearest the door. And you ate with the same crowd. That girl who always had the lead in the school plays and some guys who ran track. Bobby Blake was one of them. Am I right?"

She nodded, stunned that he'd remembered any of that.

"One lunch early in your senior year, the two biggest jerks in school, who also happened to be the largest, deliberately tripped one of the band kids. You helped him clean up, invited him to sit with you and gave those two creeps a talking to. For the rest of the school year, I tried to get up the courage to ask you out."

The goose bumps popped up again. "Why didn't you?"

"Are you kidding? I was a freshman. You were a beautiful, gutsy senior. I was afraid you'd laugh me out of school."

"It's hard to imagine you ever lacking confidence."

"Where you were concerned, believe me, I lacked it."

She didn't believe a word he said. Even though he'd proved he had a remarkable memory, she could hardly believe he was hitting on her. Considering the circumstances.

"Don't you know who my sister is?" She didn't wait for his reply. "Jessie Sullivan. Remember her?"

"Sure do." The wattage of his smile didn't dim. "How is Jessie?"

"She's fine, now that she's over the broken heart you gave her."