Read Online Stormy Challenge by Stephanie James, Jayne Ann Krentz - Free Book Online Page A

don't respect you!"
    "It's quite obvious you don't!"
    "You're wrong, Leya. I have a very healthy respect for your strength and your intelligence and your independence. The same sort of respect I have for a female lion. But a man has to tame wild things somewhat if he intends to enjoy them in some measure of safety. I wanted to try a gentling approach first. That's why you got off so easily last night. But if that doesn't work ..."
    "I'm surprised you are willing to devote the energy it would take to control me,"
    Leya ground out bitterly. "I got the impression you enjoyed a leisurely approach to life!"
    "I do. It's one of the things we have in common," he grinned and she felt his teeth on her skin. "Don't worry. This little flare-up between us is a temporary thing. Once the dust has settled, we'll both be able to lapse happily back into our normal, serene lifestyles." He sounded pleased at the prospect.
    Leya froze in sudden anguish. My God! she thought helplessly, he sees me as some sort of temporary toy to relieve a small stretch of boredom he's passing through!
    It was either that or he was convinced she would undermine his influence with Keith.
    Those were the only two reasons Leya's agile mind could come up with for Court's apparent interest in her as a lover. She had been an idiot during the past two days to think he was genuinely attracted to her!
    And how typical of a man to think that the best way of controlling a woman, whether for one's own pleasure or for business reasons, was to take her to bed!

Four
    "If you've quite finished with the explanation you brought me down here for, do you mind letting me go back to the inn?" Leya managed to mumble into Court's shoulder.
    She felt his alert silence and then he said carefully, "That depends. Are you going to accept the explanation?"
    "You actually want me to forgive you for your deceit?" she muttered disbelievingly.
    "I want you to understand why I did it and let us both start over again. Hell, Leya,"
    he went on wryly, "I know we've gotten off on the wrong foot because of that contract. . . ."
    "Your perception is blinding!" she interrupted scathingly.
    "But I'm asking you to forget it and let us start fresh," he persisted doggedly. "I want you so much, little Leya, and I know the feeling is mutual. You can't hide it from me.
    In the past couple of days, we've gotten too close."
    "And if I don't agree to forgive and forget?"
    He sighed deep in his chest. "Then we'll do things the hard way."
    "Meaning?" she gritted, as his hand slid out from under the sweater. The loss of its warmth was unexpectedly depressing, and she could have kicked herself for the irrational reaction.
    "Honey, don't push me," he replied steadily. "Just give me a chance. Please?"
    Slowly, he loosened his grip, not setting her completely free, but allowing some distance between them.
    Leya watched him through resentful eyes, disgusted to find a tiny spark of humor flicker to life at the effort he was making to appear encouragingly repentant.
    "You don't grovel very well," she noted grimly.
    "Is that what you want me to do?" he rapped interestedly, tortoiseshell eyes flickering with an unreadable expression.
    "It would be a start, but don't fret," she added quickly, flinging up a hand. "I don't expect it of you!"
    "Leya, from now on I guarantee that everything between us will be honest and straightforward," he replied earnestly. His large hands moved to zip up the down jacket.
    "Or else they'll be sneaky and underhanded. One of the two, right?" she retorted cheekily, rapidly regaining her nerve as she recognized that his impassioned anger of a few moments earlier was fading.
    "I'm trying to be patient ..." he began forcefully.
    "Why? Because you're hoping I'll give in to your blandishments and therefore be much less taxing to handle?"
    The hint of a smile touched his mouth. "I'll have to admit it would be simpler if you decided to be reasonable."
    "Oh! You're impossible!" Disgustedly, Leya thrust her