Read Online Higher Than Eagles (Donovans of the Delta) by Peggy Webb - Free Book Online Page A

for the rattling of cymbals, the shudder of the drums, and the snapping of locks on the instrument cases.
    And then, she was alone with Jacob Donovan.
    Peeling off his bomber jacket and slinging it over his shoulder, he walked toward her. She pressed against the piano.
    “How did you know?” she asked.
    “About tonight?”
    “Yes.”
    “Vashti told me this morning in the park. Then I read it in the afternoon papers.” He put one foot on the bandstand, propped his arm on his knee, and looked deep into her eyes. “You’re a busy lady.”
    “I try to be.”
    “I admire a person who is not selfish with her talents.”
    “You admire me, Jacob?”
    Their gazes clashed. They were playing a game, and both of them knew it.
    “I admire your voice. Were you singing to me tonight, Rachel?”
    “No.”
    “You once said you sang all your songs for me.”
    “That was a long time ago.”
    “Six years.”
    “Yes.”
    They were silent a while, their breathing a harsh sound in the room. Jacob leaned closer, his penetrating gaze making Rachel flushed and hot.
    “You’re wearing pearls again, Rachel.”
    Her hand went to the choker of twisted pearls and diamonds, brushed over the three large sapphires set in the center.
    “Not just pearls.”
    “But pearls, nonetheless.”
    She thought she would drown in his blue eyes as memories washed over her. Pearls. She remembered so well. . . .
     o0o
    It had been seven years ago. Jacob had bought her a single strand of perfect pearls for her birthday. Standing in the bedroom of her apartment in Greenville, he’d lifted her hair, fastening them on her neck.
    “Pearls become you, Rachel. You should always wear them.”
    She turned in his arms and gave him a long, leisurely kiss. “For you, I’ll always wear pearls.”
    He laughed. “One kiss always makes me hungry.”
    “For food?” she teased.
    “For more.” He bent her over backward, nuzzling her neck, nudging the top button on her cashmere sweater.
    “Jacob . . . Jacob . . . .” One touch from him, and she was liquid with need.
    In answer to her pleas, he unbuttoned her sweater and cast it aside. Still without speaking, his eyes burning into hers, he unfastened her skirt and let it drift to the floor. Her satin slip whispered as he slipped it over her head. His fingertips dragged slowly over her skin, sending shivers through her body. Hooking his thumbs in the waistband of her panties, he slid them down her legs.
    When she was wearing only pearls and high heels, he made love to her. There on her brass bed with the moonlight filtering through the curtains. . . .
      o0o
    She still remembered how the pearls had felt against her skin, warm and alive. Sensual.
    She shook her head and raked her hair away from her hot face.
    “The past is always with us, isn’t it, Rachel?”
    “Damn you for knowing, Jacob.”
    Laughing, he reached for her hand. “Come.”
    She tried to jerk her hand away, but he kept it in a tight grip. “I’m not going anywhere with you, Jacob. Who do you think you are to come barging into my house, ordering me around?”
    “I’m the man you once loved.” His face tightened. “And I don’t intend to spend the rest of the evening standing here arguing with you.”
    He swept her off her feet and tossed her casually over his shoulder.
    “Put me down, you pirate.”
    He swatted her fanny and continued his march to the door. “Behave.”
    “Just where do you think you’re taking me?”
    “Down memory lane.”
    The French doors clicked shut behind him, and he began to whistle Waltzing Matilda .

 
     
    CHAPTER FIVE
    The plane stood on a deserted private runway ten miles east of Biloxi. It was Jacob’s twin-engine Baron, and the private strip belonged to Captain Mark Waynesburg. When Jacob had called that afternoon, he’d been happy to allow another flyboy to use it.
    Jacob parked the rental car, opened the door, and lifted Rachel out. Slinging her over his shoulder again, he walked toward the