Cowboy Rescue [Men for Hire 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read Online Free PDF

surface as it usually did. “From the paleness of your face, I’m guessing you’re not talking about the cute guy that jogs past the school every day. Besides, I thought he already came by during this morning’s recess.”
    She did her best to shake off the chill still clinging to her. “Never mind. We’d better get inside.” Putting on as bright a smile as she could, she followed her friend toward the school.
    I thought it was him. The guy on the computer. But why would I think that?
    She pivoted to check one more time, but no one was there.
    “Come on, slowpoke.”
    “Coming.” Taking big strides, she headed for the door that led into her classroom. Halfway there, she heard someone calling her name.
    “Maria.”
    Go inside. Don’t answer him.
    Yet she had to. She turned to find a different man standing next to the fence on the other side of the yard.
    Holy crap. He’s gorgeous.
    Instead of a frightening cold she’d felt before, he gave her a rush of warmth that had her taking a step toward him. She tingled all over as she took in his faded jeans, black T-shirt, and worn boots. The cowboy hat was pushed high on his forehead, giving her a good look at his dark eyes. He oozed a sensuality she could sense even from a distance. If he’d crooked her finger at him, she would’ve gone to him willingly .
    Good grief. Get a grip.
    She had to make herself close her mouth. One minute she was terrified of one man, and in the next, she was getting hot and bothered over another man. What was wrong with her?
    “Miss Maria Franklin?”
    He’s come for me.
    And yet, instead of getting alarmed, she answered, “Yes?” He wasn’t one of her children’s fathers. None of them looked anything like him. Even though some of them were ranchers and farmers, they were just plain, average men. They didn’t have the charisma pouring off the man at the fence.
    Like the first man, she felt locked to his presence. Yet, unlike the first man, she wanted to get closer to him. The warmth that radiated from him made her want to reach out and skim her palm along his cheek. A cheek that led to the kind of square jaw only movie heroes had. Or ones that rugged cowboys had. His jawline was covered in stubble, and she didn’t get an impression of his being a clean-cut, all-American kind of guy. Instead, he possessed a wildness about him, a bad boy turned good that any woman with a pulse would’ve dropped and spread her legs for.
    “You were supposed to call in sick today.”
    She inhaled. “Are you Gabriel?”
    His features lightened as though he found the idea humorous. “No, but Gabriel sent me.”
    He’d made her feel safe before, but now she was certain she could trust him. “I think I saw him.”
    His dark eyes somehow darkened even more. “Where?”
    She pointed to the adjacent street. “There.”
    “Get inside. Now.”
    He moved, faster than she’d have thought possible, but then when he darted behind a building, she lost sight of him. Instead, she checked the schoolyard behind her for any sign of him or the other man, then hurried into the building. She peered out the small rectangular window and searched for Gabriel’s man, but saw nothing.
     
    * * * *
     
    Jack pounded on the step, making it more secure. Although he didn’t have to do any actual work, he figured, since he was playing the role of a maintenance man, he might as well be productive and fix the cracked step that led into Maria’s home. At least he didn’t have to don ugly overalls for the disguise.
    He’d already gotten into his role when Brad had called to tell him that Miss Franklin thought she’d seen the man. But they hadn’t expected the man to get anywhere near her yet. Arriving early enough to watch her apartment as the sun broke over the horizon, they’d followed her to school, keeping their distance so even she wouldn’t know they were there. They’d been ready if anything had looked out of the normal. But not knowing anything about the man or