Read Online Pirate's Gold by Lisa Jackson - Free Book Online Page B

Festival was aboveboard, and the missing cassettes had been found. The entire incident had been cleared up in a matter of two hours, and yet it still made Maren uneasy.
    â€œI guess I’m a little sensitive,” she amended, “because of the trouble we had a few months ago.”
    Was it his imagination, or had she paled? “But you’re sure it no longer exists.”
    â€œPositive.” Maren placed her hand on his arm. She felt his muscles tense. “I think it’s only fair,” she began nervously, “since you’ve offered me such a unique opportunity, that I be straight with you. I know that you still have some suspicions about Festival, and I don’t know how to convince you otherwise. The only thing I can do is promise you that if we have any more trouble, to let you know immediately. That’s the best I can do.”
    â€œAm I to assume that you’re declining my offer?”
    â€œI’m just going to need a little time…”
    She felt the warmth of his fingers over hers. “All right, Maren, but I’m not a patient man.”
    Her breath caught in her throat. “Should I take that as some kind of warning?”
    A wicked smile twisted the thin line of his lips. “I would never threaten you, Maren…but you might be able to convince me to make promises…”
    â€œThat you wouldn’t keep,” she supplied, reading his impassioned thoughts.
    His face was so close to hers that she could feel the warmth of his skin. His eyes roved restlessly over her face and his voice became a hoarse whisper. “All I know at this moment is that the only thing I can think about is you and what I would like to do to you.”
    The night seemed to close in on her and she swallowed with difficulty. “Those kinds of promises can be dangerous.”
    â€œOnly if you let them.” He squinted into the darkness as he surveyed the seductive curve of her lips. He traced the pout with the top of a finger. “Besides, unless I miss my guess, you’re the kind of woman who loves to flirt with danger.”
    â€œYou’re wrong,” she denied, aware only of the raw masculinity of his strong features and the power of the hand that held her bound to him. Strong but gentle, coarse but kind…if only she could let him touch her…. She refused. “You’re wrong about me,” she repeated.
    â€œProve it.” Before she could protest further, he lowered his head and his lips touched hers softly. She gasped and his mouth pressed against hers, hard and demanding, claiming her lips in a kiss that warmed her body and promised to find her spirit. Though she tried to fight it, she felt her body melting against his, becoming alive beneath his persuasive touch. The heat of desire in his body flowed into hers and she yearned for more of the sweetness his touch inspired.
    â€œThis is crazy,” she whispered, when finally their lips parted. Her dusky blue eyes were glazed with a hunger, deep and anxious.
    â€œIt’s not crazy, it’s right.” He kissed her again, letting her know of the throbbing passion buried within him.
    His fingers found the tie of her blouse and tugged slowly on it until it loosened and fell open. Maren’s heart hammered loudly within the confines of her rib cage, her blood pounding incessantly in her eardrums. The silky fabric parted, exposing the soft white skin of her throat and shoulders. Kyle’s lips touched her neck, and his tongue left a dewy impression near her shoulder. Maren felt the warm moisture cool in the night air and she sighed with the consuming need beginning to awaken within her. His lips lowered to her neck and he kissed the delicate hollow of her throat, leaving his moist imprint on her delicate bone structure.
    Maren tilted her head, exposing more of her throat to him. Her dark curls touched his neck in an intimate caress known only to lovers. His lips touched her skin and