Read Online Trouble in Tourmaline (Silhouette Special Edition) by Jane Toombs - Free Book Online

hundred miles in every direction was cut down for fuel or for mine timbers. For years nobody replanted trees up here.”
    “Nevada has its own kind of beauty, though. I love the mountains.”
    “We’ve got our share.”
    “You talk like a Nevadan. Do you plan to stay in Tourmaline?”
    He might be unduly sensitive, but wasn’t she verging on probing again? “As opposed to where?” he asked.
    “The rest of the world.” Tartness tinged her words, making him smile.
    “Haven’t made up my mind.” He pointed. “There’s a semishady cottonwood by that iron fence over there.”
    On the way over to the tree, she paused to read a nearly obliterated inscription on a tilted stone. “‘He shot me once. Once was enough for E. Nuffe.’ Do you suppose the victim actually composed this epitaph?”
    “Depends on how long the lead poisoning took to be fatal.”
    She frowned at him. “Very funny.”
    When they stood under the shade of the cottonwood, David pulled her into his arms and kissed her, her lips soft and responsive under his. She tasted like a sweet combination of maple-nut ice cream and of herself. He breathed in the faint scent of flowers.Aroused by the feel of her against him, he deepened the kiss, his mind gradually shutting down, overwhelmed by the passion gripping him. Who was he trying to fool? There’d been a time last year when he hadn’t felt any need for a woman, but, hell, in the past he’d never needed any woman with such desperate intensity as he needed Amy right now. She lit a fire that nothing short of having her would quench.
    Amy clung to David, unable to think, pressing closer, wanting more of him, all of him, refusing to hear the tiny part of her that warned she was being unwise. Since when had a kiss turned her liquid with need? She doubted any other kiss had ever triggered the wave of passion engulfing her. The time, the location, the world all vanished. David held her, nothing else existed. Every moment since she’d met him had been leading up to this one. He made her crazy.
    If she could melt into him, become a part of him, she would. His scent, uniquely David, surrounded her, his taste, tinged with mint from his ice cream was pure David. His name throbbed through her with every heartbeat.
    His mouth left hers to trail kisses to her ear, where he whispered, “If we don’t stop, we’ll wind up making love right here in the dirt.”
    The tiny rational core of her mind knew that was a bad idea no matter how much she wanted him at the moment, dirt or no dirt. His words brought her far enough out of her daze to understand they had to call a halt before it was too late. With a deep sigh, she released David. He held her for a long moment and then let her go.
    “Close call.” The rasp of passion blurred his words.
    She wanted to respond, to agree, but what was there to say? They’d come together like iron filings and a magnet. Irresistibly. And would do it again, given the chance, her inner voice reminded her.
    “I suppose we should talk about it, but what’s the use?” she said finally.
    He half smiled. “Never thought I’d hear a shrink admit talking it out wouldn’t help.”
    “It’s—it’s irrational. On my part, at least. You’re a male and therefore—”
    “Stop right there. What just happened to us had nothing to do with my testosterone level. It’s been simmering between us ever since you walked up to me at Aunt Gert’s.”
    The truth, plain and simple. She may as well admit it. “Then we’ll have to take steps to see it doesn’t come to a boil again.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “Got any ideas how?”
    Ideas? With him standing no more than a foot away looking at her with those searing blue eyes, she could hardly think at all. What she really wanted was to be back in his arms, even though she knew better.
    “What color are your eyes, anyway?” she demanded.
    He blinked. “My driver’s license says blue.”
    She scowled at him. “I mean what color