Read Online Gift of Gold by Jayne Ann Krentz - Free Book Online

her discomfort. His voice dropped to a low, sexy purr as he quoted softly:
     
    “
My lady scatters precious gifts with a casual, careless
hand.
    She knows not how much
I
value the fragile gems she
chooses to bestow.
    Greedily
,
I
snatch all that I can take;
a smile of silver, a glance of crystal.
    But still
I
hunger for more priceless things;
Treasures that can
’
t be bought or sold.
    For
I
will not rest until
I
claim her body and her
heart;
    Gifts of white hot fire and rarest gold.
”
     
    Verity’s head came up quickly and she found herself staring into his brilliant eyes. She knew in that moment that she was being wooed. She had never been caught in a web of seduction before, but it was shatteringly evident that she was rapidly becoming entangled in it now.
    For a moment neither spoke. They simply looked at each other and Verity became aware of a vibrant truth. Jonas was the one who could give a gift of gold. It was there in his eyes, waiting for her. And as for fire, well, she might be inexperienced, but she was woman enough to know he offered that, too. It would be a blazing, masculine fire that would burn her to the depths of her soul, branding her forever. She shook her head a little to free herself of the dizzying images. Frantically she sought for a way out of the web that was tightening around her.
    “Would you like another pickle?” she asked brightly and slapped it into his outstretched hand. She ignored the amusement in his eyes and began a running commentary on the economy and social aspects of Sequence Springs.
    But even as she pushed the conversation back into safer channels Verity knew she was running from the stark truth that awaited her. She was fascinated with Jonas Quarrel. She wanted him. It was the first time in her life she had ever known the full, blazing power of this kind of attraction and it both frightened and excited her.
    Why, oh why, she wondered once again, did he have to be the wrong sort of man for her?
    The question was, of course, unanswerable, so she pushed it aside once more and went back to enjoying the day.
    They whiled away Monday afternoon at the lake, and Monday evening Jonas suggested taking in the film that was showing at the only theater in Sequence Springs. Verity realized it had been a long time since she’d been to a film. When she mentioned that to Jonas, he tapped her chin with his lean forefinger and shook his head admonishingly.
    “You work too hard,” he said.
    Verity bristled. “That’s a joke, coming from someone who spends his life drifting from one dishwashing job to another.” Too late she realized she had come close to spoiling the whole evening.
    “What’s the matter, little tyrant? Aren’t you getting your money’s worth out of me?” Jonas taunted far too softly.
    Angry with herself for nearly ruining what had been the most pleasant day she had spent in ages, Verity tried an awkward apology. “I didn’t say that. I just meant that you and I have a slightly different understanding of the work ethic, that’s all. You’re content to drift through life and never use your abilities. I don’t like to see ability wasted.”
    “Believe me,” Jonas retorted, “the world does not need another professor of Renaissance history. It’ll get along just fine without me. Now stop fretting about my lack of future prospects and eat your popcorn. You need a little fattening up.
    She grumbled about the greasy, salty popcorn he bought but ended up eating her share. Jonas seemed pleased. She wondered if he would attempt to kiss her again that night and spent a long time trying to decide how to react if he did. She acknowledged to herself that she was actually considering indulging in her first full-blown affair. That thought made her feel light-headed.
    The question of a good-night kiss, let alone anything else in that line, did not arise, however. Jonas took her to her door, wished her good night, and loped off to his cabin.
    Verity tried to tell herself it