Read Online The Biker's Wench by Jamie DeBree - Free Book Online Page B

stretched them gingerly, wincing at the sharp prickling sensations that shot through her ankles as circulation returned. She needed to get back - Harley would be wondering where she was, a thought that both scared her and gave her an unfamiliar sense of belonging that she wasn't quite sure she liked.
    Peeking out carefully through the fake branches she scanned the hallway, listening for any noise that might indicate that someone was coming. Hearing and seeing nothing, she eased out of the alcove and walked toward room three-twelve. She'd go past just one time, and then be on her way. Maybe Harley would bring her back tomorrow if she asked nicely.
    Just ahead a door opened on the right and she froze. Male voices rumbled into the silence along with a softer, mewling sound that made her frown. Animals weren't allowed in the building. Had someone been keeping a cat in their room?
    A tall man stepped into the hall and Monica instinctively lowered her head, letting her hair fall across her face. Trying to appear as though she belonged there, she kept walking, forcing herself to maintain a normal pace instead of the sprint every muscle in her body was primed for. She walked past, noting the child carrier being passed to the man in the hall on her way by. Not a cat after all, but a baby, and a very young one at that. Odd, considering children weren't allowed at the ranch.
    She heard the room door close as she reached the corner, and once around it she glanced back over her shoulder just in time to see the man and baby disappear into another room on the other side of the hall. The same room she'd been watching for nearly half an hour.
    Quickly she ran to the stairwell and hurried down to the first floor. Stepping out into the near-darkness, she took a few deep breaths and then walked casually between the buildings to the back of the mansion. She'd slip in the back, find Harley and tell him what she saw. He'd assigned the room this morning, so he had to know something about what was going on there.
    Entering through the same door she'd left by that morning, Monica retraced her steps to the private elevator, realizing only when she reached the long hall in the basement that she didn't have a key to Harley's suite yet. She reached the door, thinking to look around for a spare key that might be hidden when the door swung open. Startled, she gasped, his silhouette stark and imposing against the light coming from behind him.
    "Where the hell have you been?" He reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her against him as he slammed the door behind her. "Do you have any idea how long I've been looking for you? I can't protect you if I don't know where you are, Monica. When I tell you to wait for me, wait, dammit!" He locked his arms around her back and looked in to her eyes, the genuine worry reflected there belying his angry expression. He leaned in and covered her lips with a punishing kiss that inflamed both her body and her pride.
    She pushed at his chest, turning her head when he refused to release his hold. "You don't own me," she said, pushing at his chest. His arms only tightened around her and she struggled, needing to get away before her baser instincts took over. "Let me go! Just because we're married doesn't give you the right to man-handle me."
"That's not what you were saying last night, darlin'."
    He let go abruptly and she stumbled backward into the wall. He crossed his arms over his chest, watching as she regained her balance. "I suppose you think this is funny," she said, brushing off her skirts and pushing her hair back.
    He shrugged. "Not particularly. I do think this whole thing would go a lot better if you'd stop fighting me. Especially since I've put my whole livelihood on the line for you. You could show a little respect."
    "No one asked you to put yourself out," Monica said, regretting the words even as she said them. He was right. He didn't have help her - he could have just handed her over and not gotten involved.