Read Online Wild Ride by Opal Carew - Free Book Online Page A

shore, then sat on the wet sand, her long, shapely legs stretched out in front of her, enjoying the shallow water washing over her body.  She dug her fingers into the sand and tossed some at her feet, then watched the water wash it away.
    He smiled.  She was so serious most of the time, but watching her play like a child on the beach made him see her in a whole new light.
    She touched something in him.  Reminded him of why he did what he did, and simultaneously, why he needed to stop.  The cost was just too high.
    After a while, she returned to the patio and headed toward the recliners.  He considered telling her to join him on the bed, concerned that she was getting too much sun, but she stretched out on the one the chairs in the shade.
    Just as well.  He wanted her here more because the sight of her in that bathing suit, with all that silky skin exposed, made his body tighten with need.  If he got her on this bed, that bathing suit would be gone in ten seconds flat.
    He wanted her, and she would obey any command he gave her.  She’d already proven that.  And he would love to command her to ride him hard.  Right here.  Right now.
    All he could think about was how she responded to his commands.  How she grew wet with need when he took control.
    But he wanted her too much, and although he might be in control of her, he was in danger of losing control of himself, or at least his feelings.  She was in love with another man.  She had convinced herself she wasn’t, but when he’d asked her if she would still be with Rip if he wasn’t a criminal, he could see it in her eyes.  She was still in love with him.
    * * *
    Marissa glanced at Killer, still reading his book on the bed.  She’d been lying here for about an hour and she was getting bored.  She stood up and walked to the door, then went inside.  He didn’t glance her way, but she was sure he was aware of her movements.
    She went into the kitchen and opened the fridge.  She grabbed a bottle of water and downed half of it, then inspected the contents of the fridge.  She checked the cupboards and found all the ingredients to make her favorite apple cinnamon muffins.
    She grabbed a bowl and started on the muffins, then after she put them in the oven, she grabbed the chicken thighs she saw in the meat drawer earlier and pulled together a quick chicken and rice casserole, then set it back in the fridge.  All she had to do was bake it in the oven for an hour and a half and throw together a salad for a nice, simple dinner.
    She walked back outside and noticed Killer had dozed off, the book lying on the bed beside him.  On the way back from her swim, she’d noticed a swimming pool around the corner of the villa, hidden by the lush foliage around the patio.  She’d really like to go in the water again and the pool had umbrellas at one end to provide shade, so she quietly headed across the patio and around to the pool.
    * * *
    Killer woke with a start and glanced around.  He could smell baking from inside the house, so he stood up and went inside, greeted by the delicious aroma of cinnamon.  On the kitchen counter were muffins cooling on a metal rack.
    He picked one up and took a bite.  God, he was in love.  Apple cinnamon muffins were his favorite.  He opened the fridge to grab a bottle of water and noticed the casserole all ready to bake.  His lips curled up in a smile.  He could get used to this.
    Then his stomach tightened.  Finding a woman to share his life with had been a desire that had been steadily growing in him for quite a while.  It was a big reason he was going through such turmoil and questioning his life choices.  He wanted to make a change for the better, but without losing who he truly was.  He needed to do whatever was necessary to allow himself to find love, and happiness.
    But not with a woman who loved someone else.  That would be setting himself up for failure.
    He finished his muffin and downed the rest of the water,