Read Online His Most Wanted by Sandra Jones - Free Book Online Page B

stop him if he meant her harm, and he could easily overpower her. Even now, his body made a fortress around her, trapping her within the circle of his arms like a stone tower. She had only one defense at the present. “Let go of me, or I’ll scream.”
    His breath feathered across her cheek. “All you have to do is ask.” His fingers strayed across her holster, gliding intimately over her inner thigh before taking hold of her hand again. His lips turned against her ear. “On second thought, I’d like to study your technique. We could take turns showing each other how we draw—”
    She shuddered from the onslaught of awakened senses—fear, panic and curiosity. “I knew I shouldn’t have let you stay the night. What the hell are you doing in my room?” Dawning realization of what he might want sent heat rushing through her. She couldn’t allow him to know how his words and touch affected her. If he felt the slightest bit justified in his advances, he might take his actions further. He was a stranger and potentially dangerous…perhaps even deadly. She must remember that.
    â€œI’ve been waiting for you, obviously.” He wrapped his hand around her wrist, urging her to release her gun. When she let go, he turned her in his arms as her skirt dropped back between him and the holstered pistol. “I let myself in your window since your door was bolted.”
    He struck a lucifer and held the flame between them. The light cast an ominous glow on his features. His eyes were cold and dark beneath the black arches of his brows.
    She staggered back. “How is that possible? The shrubs—”
    He held out his forearm, and the match revealed a series of fresh, thin scratches along his skin beneath his rolled up sleeve. “Do you really think I’d be afraid of a few roses?”
    Oh, what must he think of her. Did he believe she’d left the room through the window as well, or had he seen the secret door behind the wardrobe?
    The cloak. She couldn’t let him find the evidence linking her to Velvet Grace. Steadying her voice, she asked, “Could you make yourself useful with that lucifer and light my lantern?”
    His gaze flicked to her nightstand as if remembering where he’d seen it last. He cupped a hand around the flame and went to do as she’d asked.
    While he was distracted with the lantern, she went to the dresser and shoved the cloak deep inside a drawer.
    They were soon enveloped in the warm glow of the lamp. “Now.” She sighed, turning to face him as she leaned against the dresser. “What brought you into my locked room?”
    â€œWe weren’t done.”
    â€œWe weren’t?”
    He stalked closer. “Not by a long shot. But…are you going to tell me why you snuck out?”
    She scowled. “Why should I? It’s my house. There aren’t any laws in Fort McNamara against a woman going out at night.”
    He blocked the light, shadowing her, and she could feel the displeasure rolling off his frame. “I’ve only been a lawman a few hours, but it seems strange to me that a lady would sneak out of her own place. Especially when there’s a sheriff under her roof.”
    â€œI’ve done nothing wrong. I couldn’t sleep, so I climbed out my window and went for a walk in town. I didn’t want to leave the Willows’ doors unbolted where any stranger might wander in off the streets.” She glared up at him, challenging him to argue with her point.
    He braced a hand against her dresser just above her shoulder and leaned closer. “These streets are dangerous—even with a gun. You know that, Cora. There are better ways to find sleep.”
    â€œOh, really?” She eased another step back until her bottom pressed against the cabinet.
    â€œReally. I think maybe you couldn’t sleep because you were thinking about our kiss. Maybe we both need some time