Black Gold Read Online Free PDF

tables or perched on high stools eating and laughing and hanging out.
    From the table closest to her, one of the men rose to his feet, his gaze crawling over her as if she were naked. Gem stumbled for a second before David pulled her upright, slipping his body between her and the new threat.
    Funny how the cabbie had gone from being a stranger to someone she felt would protect her.
    “Knock it off, Jackson.”
    “Just wanted to make sure the lady got a proper northern welcome.” David tugged her toward the back of the pub. All around them excitement trembled in the air—the energy in the bar was wild and energetic, and in spite of the tinge of uncertainty inside, she’d never felt more alive.
    Independence was heady stuff.
    “Evan’s back in his office. Come on, darling, you don’t fit in with this crowd.” Gem stared in fascination at one of the women on the dance floor. The top buttons of her blouse hung open, the swells of her breasts visible to everyone. She twirled and her mini skirt rose, revealing a tiny thong and bare butt cheeks. Gem’s face flushed hotter than a summer day. There went the idea that her own outfit was provocative. Obviously, she was mistaken.
    No, she didn’t belong here, that was clear.
    David knocked on the door, again placing himself as a barricade between her and the action in the room.
    A tenor rang out from the other side. “What?”
    “Visitor from the States.”
    A longish pause. “Come in.”
    Gem slipped past David into the warm office, and peace settled. The fire in the hearth, the leather furniture—this room wasn’t her home, but a lot more comfortable than the rowdiness occurring in the bar.
    “Evan, this is Gemmita Jacobs, from Georgia. She’s the one Shaun’s taking north in a few days for that Porcupine Herd analysis.”
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    Black Gold
    Gem startled. “Hey, how did you—”
    “There are many ways to find out information when it’s needed.” David tipped his hat and pointed into the room. “Evan Stone. He’s a good bloke. You’ll be all right. I’m sure I’ll see you later.” David left in a whirlwind, and Gem turned to take her first look at the Whitehorse Alpha.
    Dark hair neatly trimmed around his ears, snapping black eyes that examined her with sharp intelligence. He was all lean muscle, bright white teeth, the entire appealing package sprawled in a low leather chair. One leg bounced, his knee hanging over the armrest, his foot rocking steadily to the low-lying beat of music sneaking in under the door. The position left his torso wide open, and she snapped her gaze back to his face before she continued staring anywhere inappropriate.
    His smile twisted to one side, and he raised a brow.
    Gem flushed. So much for keeping her arrival inconspicuous and politically correct. He’d caught her gaping at his groin. How gauche.
    “Sorry for not getting up, but I’ve had a hell of a day.” He gestured to the couch across from him.
    “Have a seat. I won’t keep you long. You must be tired.”
    Gem dipped her head. She’d never met an Alpha quite like him before, but she could get around that.
    Act normal, you idiot. Charm him—smooth out this mess. “I apologize for not letting you know sooner I would be in your territory. I’m terribly embarrassed.”
    She sat, and a curious scent surrounded her. Something that made her catch her breath and a tingle start deep, deep inside. She tried to hide her reaction, but Evan narrowed his gaze.
    “What? Why are you wrinkling your nose like that?”
    Another flash of—excitement? need?—rushed over her, and she opened her mouth to explain away her rudeness with some kind of cast-off remark when a flicker of comprehension singed her.
    The aroma made her mouth water, and her heart race. She reached up and tugged on the neckline of her sweater, finding the collar suddenly far too constricting. She wanted nothing better than to strip the fabric away and go down to bare skin. Let the air