Read Online Island Flame by Karen Robards - Free Book Online Page B

thing that Cathy did was to take one of the wooden chairs and wedge it firmly against the door. Although it wouldn’t keep Jon out for long if he was determined to get in, at least she would have enough warning so that she wouldn’t be caught naked in the bath!
    That done, she went across to her small trunk and opened it lovingly. Just the sight of something from home was enough to make her eyes water. What she wouldn’t give to hear Martha scolding, or her papa bellowing as he did when everything didn’t go his way! Firmly she wiped a wayward tear from her cheek. Crying made everything seem so much worse.
    Carefully, she lifted out the little tray of scented soaps and perfumes that fitted neatly over her clothes. She sprinkled attar of roses liberally in the bath water, sniffing appreciatively at the cloud of scented steam that rose to her nostrils. Picking up a bar of rose-scented soap and asmall washcloth, she stepped into the tub. The feel of the hot water closing about her body as she sank down into it was pure bliss. She rested her head against the rolled back of the tub, not moving, luxuriating in the knowledge that she would soon be thoroughly clean again from head to toe. After a moment’s enjoyment she began to scrub vigorously at her arms and legs and body, almost rubbing away the skin in her zeal to be rid of Jon’s touch. Finally she splashed her face until her cheeks were pink and glowing. The only thing left to do was her hair, and taking a deep breath, she plunged her head beneath the water. Her hands worked their way through the long strands, wetting them thoroughly, and soaping them.
    Cathy was rinsing her hair, her head under water again, when the doorknob rattled. The sound was closely followed by an impatient curse, then a shrill scraping as a strong shoulder set against the door pushed the detaining chair steadily over the planked floor. Jon squeezed through the opening he had made, looked about the cabin warily, then broke into a broad grin. All he could see of the little she-cat was a hank of dripping dark-gold hair and a pair of creamy shoulders. He crossed quietly to the side of the tub. Her face when she surfaced should really be something to behold!
    At that moment Cathy came up for air, and Jon chuckled audibly at the absurd picture she presented. Her wet hair trailed limply over her face and shoulders to float around her in the water like trailing strands of seaweed. At the sound of his chuckle she stiffened, her hands coming up to push the hair out of her eyes. When she could see again, she glared at Jon as he towered over her, her face contorting with fury.
    While she searched for her tongue, Jon amused himself by studying her soft curves through the water. Very nice, he thought appreciatively, admiring the impudent thrust of her breasts and the tender turn of her hips. Very nice. A slow grin was stealing across his mouth when, with an inarticulate cry of pure rage, Cathy hurled the bar of scented soap straight at his head. It struck him hard as a rock in the corner of his left eye. Jon staggered back, his hand clapping disbelievingly over the injured place. His temper, never placid, began to simmer in its turn. If the little vixen wanted to play rough, he would see to it that she got more than she’d bargained for!
    “Get out!” Cathy shrieked, finding her voice at last. While he was still off balance she tried to leap from the tub, grabbing frantically for the quilt to wrap herself in. Jon caught her in mid-leap, his hands clamping around the slippery skin of her waist. Twist and turn though she might, Cathy was unable to free herself as he thrust her forcibly back down into the water.
    “Why should I? It is, after all, my cabin,” Jon drawled, his hands on her shoulders holding her firmly in place. Only the steely look in his eyes warned her that she was on dangerous ground. But Cathy was too furious to heed any warning.
    “I’m taking a bath!” she screamed, her fists clenching