Read Online Bride Gone Bad by Sabine Starr - Free Book Online Page B

a bearskin rug.”
    â€œFully clothed?”
    She cocked her head to one side, considering him. “Maybe you could be holding your hat.”
    He laughed, imagining the strategic placement of his hat. “I don’t think what you’ve got in mind belongs in a café.”
    â€œBordello?”
    â€œWhere’d you hear that word?”
    She shrugged again. “If the Bend wants a painting of me, why not get one of you, too?” Mischief danced in her eyes.
    â€œMen are paying for it, for one thing.” Lustful images of her flitted across his mind. “What about one of us together?” He’d pay the artist plenty for those types of sketches. He wouldn’t be the only one, either. In New Orleans, there’d be a bidding war. With her need for money, he’d better never let her know. But once the job was done and the artist found, he just might consider the possibilities.
    â€œThe two of us? That’d be highly inappropriate and you know it.”
    â€œThat’s only the lady in you talking. What about the jezebel?”
    â€œJezebel?” She put a hand over her heart while her eyes widened in surprise. “Are you suggesting we pose in the—”
    â€œThat’s right. Naked. ”
    He watched her blush a tantalizing shade of pink. He’d like to follow that blush down to the rosy tips of her breasts. He could almost taste the sweetness and feel the heat on his tongue. He’d torment her sensitive flesh until she writhed and begged him to go lower to the scorching heart of her.
    â€œYou’re teasing me because you think I’m just an innocent little lady, aren’t you?”
    â€œYou set a man to thinking thoughts best left in the dark.”
    â€œI bet you set free a few women’s thoughts, too.”
    He chuckled, and she joined his laughter. “If you’re trying to distract me,” he said, “you’re doing a fine job.”
    Despite their banter, he felt male satisfaction that she’d admitted she liked his looks and would like to see more. It had a powerful effect on his cock. Now he wanted to prove that she was more jezebel than lady, but he had more important matters that demanded his attention.
    A sound downstairs reminded him that they were standing in the hall. Somebody could walk up the stairs at any time. “Best get our minds on business. We need to leave soon.”
    â€œI’m ready.” She turned away from him.
    â€œI’ll pack my saddlebags, and then we can be on our way.” He realized that she’d withdrawn, maybe put up barriers after their banter. He wanted to reach out to her, but perhaps it was for the best. He led them where it was best they didn’t go.
    He ushered her into his room, grabbed his saddlebags, and tossed in the few things he’d taken out. He shrugged into his leather vest, pulled his gold watch from a front pocket where it was attached by a short chain to a button for security. He checked the time. Eight o’clock. He glanced out the window. Sunny morning in early September. It’d still be hot during the day, but cooler at night.
    â€œThat’s a nice watch,” she said. “It looks like a family piece.”
    He nodded. “Like your chatelaine?”
    â€œYes. I borrowed it from my grandmother.”
    â€œI see pieces like these more in the South.”
    â€œIt could be part of the heritage.”
    â€œAnd money. Folks come out here to make their fortune, not inherit it.”
    â€œGuess I’ll need to buy myself something pretty, so I can hand it down in my family.”
    He thought how good she’d look in pricey baubles. “I’ll get you something.”
    â€œYou’re already paying me.”
    â€œIt ought to be something to go with that red dress.”
    â€œI’m never going to hear the last of that, am I?”
    â€œDoubt it.”
    He put on his beige Stetson, glanced around to make sure