Read Online Texas Proud (Vincente 2) by Constance O'Banyon - Free Book Online

plunged into the
river, surfacing within inches of him. Water
beaded on the tips of her eyelashes and slid down
her cheeks. He was relieved that only her bare
shoulders were visible above the waterline.
    "All right, Rachel, you've shown me that you are
a woman grown. And I will admit that your body
is magnificent. I'll just swim downstream now so
you can get out and put on your clothing."
    She felt perplexed by his sudden detachment.
Now that most of her nakedness was covered by
water, he was the one in control. She had been so
certain he'd found her desirable. If only she were
more experienced. Her feminine instincts triumphed and she dipped her head backward, wetting her hair so it would stay out of her face.
    "Isn't it too late for modesty? You have already
seen me the way God created me. And I might
remind you that this fork of the Brazos River belongs to Broken Spur as much as it does to Casa
del Sol. I have as much right to be here as you do."
    He swam a safe distance away from her. "Have
it your way, Rachel. But none of this is necessary."
    She lunged toward him, her naked body brushing deliberately against his side. She saw his dark
eyes dilate, and delighted in the gasp that escaped
his lips.
    "Don't, Rachel," he warned, swimming backward a few strokes in a desperate attempt to escape from her. He was confused by her actions, because the last time they'd met she had wanted
to see him dead. He fought the urge to crush her
in his arms. He must not think about smothering
those sensuous lips beneath his. He doubted that
she was aware of the consequences that might
come from taunting him. There were already
complications between the two of them he
didn't need more.

    Rachel gleaned his thoughts. He was dismayed
because of his desire for her. This knowledge
made her grow even more bold; she would entice
him with a promise of what he could never have
and then swim away.
    "Do you want me, Noble?"
    He stared past her. "I once desired a whore in
New Orleans, but I was able to resist her."
    She smiled, knowing that Noble was insulting
her, hoping she would leave. "Are you afraid of
me, Noble? I'm not holding a gun on you now."
    His voice deepened, his eyes fastened on her
mouth as he stared at her with fervent intensity.
"You are far more dangerous now than when you
held the gun on me." He searched her eyes. "You
have not been with a man, have you, Rachel?"
    She was beginning to enjoy herself because she
was making him uncomfortable. "No. I haven't.
Do you want to be the first?"
    He groaned. "Hell, yes. And therein lies the trouble, Rachel. You are the kind of girl who should
save herself for her husband."
    She lunged forward, taking him by surprise. Their bodies came together, caressed by the soft
water. A shock coiled through her, and she was
momentarily stunned by the way his body welcomed hers. The hardness of his body held her as
if she were bound to him.

    Noble could no longer resist her. His arms went
around her and he drew her even closer.
    How foolish she'd been in thinking she could
arouse his desire and swim away unaffected. A
rush of feelings opened up inside her, and she was
too unworldly to resist. Her skin tingled and she
wanted to draw even closer to the forbidden male
hardness that pressed between her thighs. Breathless, she felt as if her body were on fire. The hair
on Noble's chest tickled her breasts, and she could
feel his every intake of breath. She felt the swollen
heat against her grow harder, and her body became liquid every fiber of rationality unraveled
all resistance gone.
    She was lost.
    Noble's iron control snapped and he was almost
beyond reason. In a last attempt at rationality he
groaned, "Rachel, you must go while you still can.
You don't know what you're doing to me." But he
did not push her away; he kept her pressed against
him.
    "Yes, I do," she said, as her hand slid up his taut
shoulder and rested there while she met his eyes.
"I