Read Online Hunter by Diana Palmer - Free Book Online

him angry to be the object of a female tug-of-war.
    â€œDo you want anything to eat?” he asked when the silence became too tense.
    â€œI had a candy bar, thanks,” she replied. She was putting away the computer, her attention elsewhere.
    â€œI brought provisions. You can have anything you like, including a steak.”
    â€œI don’t want anything.”
    â€œStarve yourself if you like,” he said, turning his back to fix himself a steak on the Coleman stove. “Pride doesn’t digest well.”
    â€œYou’ll never know,” she said under her breath.
    He glared at her. “Do you have to have every man you meet on your string?” he asked. “Does your ego demand blind adoration?”
    She closed her eyes. The pain was unbearable. “Please stop,” she said huskily. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”
    He felt a strange empathy with her at times. He seemed to sense her feelings, her emotions. He was doing it now. She was wounded, emotionally.
    He got to his feet and knelt beside her, his dark eyes enigmatic. “Won’t do what again?” he asked.
    â€œI won’t…how did you put it?…try to get your attention.” She stared at the darkening ground. “I don’t know why I tried.”
    He studied the shadows on the ground. Night was coming down around them. Crickets sounded in the grass. A coyote howled. The wind caught her hair and blew it toward his face, and he felt its softness against his cheek.
    â€œHow old are you?” he asked suddenly.
    â€œTwenty-seven,” she replied, her voice terse because she didn’t like admitting her age.
    He hadn’t realized she was that old. He frowned, wondering why on earth a woman so lovely should be so alone. “You don’t date,” he persisted.
    â€œChecked the file, did you?” She pushed back her hair and glanced up at him and away as she closed the laptop and put it aside. “No, I don’t date. What’s the use? I was almost engaged twice, until they realized that I had a brain and wanted to use it. I wasn’t content to be a room decoration and a hostess to the exclusion of my career. I’ve gotten used to being alone. I rather like it.”
    â€œExcept sometimes on dark nights, when you go hungry for a man’s arms,” he added with faint insolence.
    She stared at him with equal insolence. “I suppose you’re in a position to know that,” she agreed, nodding. “I’ve been alone too long, I suppose. Even you started to look good to me!”
    He didn’t answer her. He had to admit that he’d deserved that. He shouldn’t have taunted her, especially about something that she probably couldn’t even help.
    She got up and moved away from him, tense and unnerved by his continued scrutiny.
    â€œCome and eat something,” he said.
    She shook her head. “I meant it. I’m not hungry.” She laughed bitterly. “I haven’t tasted food since Eugene forced us on this ridiculous assignment. The only thing I want is to get it over with and get away from you!”
    His dark eyes caught hers. “Do you, Jennifer?” he asked softly, his voice deep and almost gentle in the stillness.
    She felt that tone to the soles of her feet and she turned away from him. It wasn’t fair that he could do this to her. “I’d better get my equipment put away.”
    He watched her go. She seemed to bring out the very worst in him. “There’s no need to run,” he said mockingly, glaring at her through the growing darkness. “I’m not going to touch you again. I don’t want you. Couldn’t you tell?”
    â€œYes.” She almost choked on the word. She turned toward the tent. “Yes, I could tell.”
    Her voice disturbed him. It seemed to hurt her that he didn’t find her desirable. He drew in a slow breath, wondering what to do. It had