Read Online In Your Arms by Rebecca Goings - Free Book Online Page A

around her waist. Unexplainably, Marcus could feel his temper rise, and he glared at anyone who approached the refreshment table.
    The song seemed to drone on and on, and Marcus kept his eye on Melissa in the crowd of people. She was so damn beautiful tonight that his hands yearned to bury themselves in her hair, and his arms screamed to hold her. Unbuttoning the top button of his collar, he swallowed hard.
    By the time the song ended, he’d worked himself into a livid frenzy.
    ~ * ~
    Melissa was thankful when the musicians began another lively tune. Dancing so close to the doctor as they slowly swayed back and forth made her skin crawl. She was even more thankful when Marcus came to save her from Dr. Newcomb’s clutches. The older man was nice enough, but he smelled like his medicinal balms and held her a little too close for comfort.
    She barely had time to thank him for the dance before Marcus dragged her outside. The moon was up and the stars shone down on them as he pulled her around the side of the barn. The muffled strains of music could be heard through the wall.
    “Where are you taking me?” she asked, feeling breathless. The cool night air caressed her skin, a drastic change from the heat of the barn.
    “Away from him,” he answered in a gruff voice.
    Melissa stopped short and stared at Marcus in disbelief. “Are you jealous?”
    He rounded on her, his eyes flashing sparks. But she did not flinch.
    “No--yes! Damn it, I don’t know. All I know is that I saw red when you were in his arms dancing with him. He was holding you so close it was all I could do not to… Lissa, I can’t think much beyond you most days. I don’t want you to fall for me, but damn it, I don’t want you to fall for anyone else either.”
    “Shouldn’t I be able to give my heart to whomever I choose?”
    He didn’t answer and threw back his head with a sigh. Stepping closer to him, she decided to take a chance. The lively song inside ended to a round of applause. Once again, the fiddler began another melancholy tune, and she slipped her hands around his neck. She smiled when his gaze returned to her.
    “Dance with me, Mr. McCaide.”
    He slowly wrapped her in his warmth and began to sway back and forth. Resting her head on his shoulder, she closed her eyes and breathed him in. He smelled so good, like fresh soap, and she absently stroked the back of his neck with her thumbs. His embrace was firm, ensuring she wouldn’t be able to escape, but Melissa didn’t want to. She could hear his heart beating and sighed with contentment.
    “Do you know what it did to me to see you in his arms?” His voice vibrated through her, making her body respond to him as she hugged him closer.
    “I’m in your arms now, Marcus. And the good doctor didn’t hold me quite this close.”
    “If the good doctor had held you like this, Lissa, then he wouldn’t have been able to walk out of that barn on his own two legs.”
    Melissa chuckled and pulled away just enough to look into his eyes. They glittered in the moonlight as she stared at him, barely aware that they’d stopped swaying to the music. His breath was hot on her cheek as her pulse raced. She trembled under his gaze, feeling her body tightening with every beat of her heart. Butterflies flew wildly in her belly, and her legs refused to hold her weight as she sagged against him.
    “Lissa?”
    “Hmm?”
    “I’m sorry, sugar.”
    “For what?” she asked, genuinely confused.
    “For mussing your hair.”
    His mouth closed on hers, moving slowly and gently against her lips as his fingers slipped into her bun, making it unravel. Her hair tumbled down her back, and Melissa whimpered with shock, but only for a moment. Standing on her toes, she angled her head just a little to kiss him fully.
    Like liquid velvet, his tongue traced her lips, silently asking for her to open to him. Once she did, he began sucking on her bottom lip, drawing it into his mouth. Melissa groaned, digging her nails