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Authors: MaryLu Tyndall
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jungle. And you won’t have to do anything for me except lead the way. In fact, you’ll hardly notice me at all.”
Hardly notice her? Hayden groaned inwardly. He’d have to be deaf not to hear the woman’s interminable chattering and blind not to notice her stunning face and curvaceous figure. No, the woman would definitely be a distraction.
As well as a major aggravation.
“What of your parents?”
“They don’t know. I’m twenty-three. I can take care of myself!” She patted her hair in place then took a step toward him. “I beg you, I can’t stay in this savage backcountry another day. I’ll simply go mad.”
Hayden wasn’t altogether sure that hadn’t already occurred. After all, the woman had been hysterical over thinking she was bald just two days ago. “How will you afford to book passage on a ship?”
“I have money. You need not worry about me.”
Of course he would worry about her. Was the woman daft? If she came with him, she would be under his protection. He would be responsible for her welfare and safety. And that he couldn’t have. He needed no complications, no obstacles, no temptations to keep him from his goal.
Temptations …ah, he knew just the way to be rid of her. Curling his lips in a sultry grin, he moved toward her, scanning her with his gaze. “What of your reputation? All alone in the jungle with a man for five days. And nights.” He raised his brows. “What will people think?”
She looked away. Moonlight sprinkled glitter dust on her hair and cast shadowy arcs beneath her lashes. “No one need know. Especially not back home.”
Hayden closed the gap between them. The scent of alcohol vied for dominion over her sweet, feminine scent—a scent that reminded him of citrus and cedar. He rubbed the stubble on his chin and drew a deep breath, leaning to whisper, “And would you risk arriving in Rio with your virtue shattered?”
Drawing a jagged breath, she retreated. Her leg struck the cot. She winced. “I assure you, there is no risk of that!”
He continued to stare at her.
Her eyes became flames. “You wouldn’t dare!”
He fingered a lock of her hair. As soft as he’d expected. “You don’t know what I would or wouldn’t do, Princess.” Of course he would never force himself on a woman, but she didn’t need to know that. Besides, he quite enjoyed playing the cad. One of his many roles.
And a role that, apparently, she bought, lock, stock, and barrel. Eyes round, she swallowed hard and clutched her valise to her chest like a shield. “You are a vile toad, Mr. Hayden Gale!” she spat before storming out of the hut.
Hayden chuckled, a sudden emptiness settling on him at her departure. Perhaps he shouldn’t have teased her so, but it was for the best. Releasing a heavy breath, he gathered his things as dawn’s first glow slid over the wooden window frame. He should get going. The sooner he left, the better.
C HAPTER 7
W ith the tip of her parasol, Magnolia brushed aside a particularly slimy-looking vine upon which a family of monstrous beetles had taken residence. Not only residence, but they appeared to be procreating at lightning speed and in astounding numbers! She cringed as she held the vine out of her way and ducked beneath. Her parasol slipped. The vine descended like a dragon with gaping beetle jaws. It slapped her in the face, showering her with bugs.
She screamed. Then quickly slammed her palm over her mouth. Dropping her valise, she sprang back and furiously batted the foul creatures scrambling over her skirts and bodice. Her stomach leapt into her throat as she hopped about the clearing like a frog on hot coals, shaking out the folds of her gown. After several agonizing minutes—and when she could find no more of the black multilegged beasties—she drew a handkerchief from her pocket and fluttered it about her face, waiting for her heart to settle. Then, swearing under her breath, she grabbed her valise and forged ahead, scanning the
Hardly notice her? Hayden groaned inwardly. He’d have to be deaf not to hear the woman’s interminable chattering and blind not to notice her stunning face and curvaceous figure. No, the woman would definitely be a distraction.
As well as a major aggravation.
“What of your parents?”
“They don’t know. I’m twenty-three. I can take care of myself!” She patted her hair in place then took a step toward him. “I beg you, I can’t stay in this savage backcountry another day. I’ll simply go mad.”
Hayden wasn’t altogether sure that hadn’t already occurred. After all, the woman had been hysterical over thinking she was bald just two days ago. “How will you afford to book passage on a ship?”
“I have money. You need not worry about me.”
Of course he would worry about her. Was the woman daft? If she came with him, she would be under his protection. He would be responsible for her welfare and safety. And that he couldn’t have. He needed no complications, no obstacles, no temptations to keep him from his goal.
Temptations …ah, he knew just the way to be rid of her. Curling his lips in a sultry grin, he moved toward her, scanning her with his gaze. “What of your reputation? All alone in the jungle with a man for five days. And nights.” He raised his brows. “What will people think?”
She looked away. Moonlight sprinkled glitter dust on her hair and cast shadowy arcs beneath her lashes. “No one need know. Especially not back home.”
Hayden closed the gap between them. The scent of alcohol vied for dominion over her sweet, feminine scent—a scent that reminded him of citrus and cedar. He rubbed the stubble on his chin and drew a deep breath, leaning to whisper, “And would you risk arriving in Rio with your virtue shattered?”
Drawing a jagged breath, she retreated. Her leg struck the cot. She winced. “I assure you, there is no risk of that!”
He continued to stare at her.
Her eyes became flames. “You wouldn’t dare!”
He fingered a lock of her hair. As soft as he’d expected. “You don’t know what I would or wouldn’t do, Princess.” Of course he would never force himself on a woman, but she didn’t need to know that. Besides, he quite enjoyed playing the cad. One of his many roles.
And a role that, apparently, she bought, lock, stock, and barrel. Eyes round, she swallowed hard and clutched her valise to her chest like a shield. “You are a vile toad, Mr. Hayden Gale!” she spat before storming out of the hut.
Hayden chuckled, a sudden emptiness settling on him at her departure. Perhaps he shouldn’t have teased her so, but it was for the best. Releasing a heavy breath, he gathered his things as dawn’s first glow slid over the wooden window frame. He should get going. The sooner he left, the better.
C HAPTER 7
W ith the tip of her parasol, Magnolia brushed aside a particularly slimy-looking vine upon which a family of monstrous beetles had taken residence. Not only residence, but they appeared to be procreating at lightning speed and in astounding numbers! She cringed as she held the vine out of her way and ducked beneath. Her parasol slipped. The vine descended like a dragon with gaping beetle jaws. It slapped her in the face, showering her with bugs.
She screamed. Then quickly slammed her palm over her mouth. Dropping her valise, she sprang back and furiously batted the foul creatures scrambling over her skirts and bodice. Her stomach leapt into her throat as she hopped about the clearing like a frog on hot coals, shaking out the folds of her gown. After several agonizing minutes—and when she could find no more of the black multilegged beasties—she drew a handkerchief from her pocket and fluttered it about her face, waiting for her heart to settle. Then, swearing under her breath, she grabbed her valise and forged ahead, scanning the
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