From Kiss to Queen Read Online Free PDF

she had spent most of her life in the wilderness, she couldn’t have lived like a nun.
    â€œOur clothes are dry enough, I think,” she said, pulling his shirt and pants down from the rope. “The sun’s gone and it’s going to get chilly really fast.”
    â€œUsing that blanket as a reflector works wonders,” he said, taking his offered clothes. “Both my front and back are warm.”
    She took her own clothes behind the reflector, but Marknoticed she left her brace under her jacket. “How far did you say it was to the canoe?” he asked through the barrier.
    â€œTwo or three miles. But it’s on a lake with a navigable stream that will take us almost directly to Twelve Mile Camp. It’s just a store and some rental cabins, but there’s a phone,” she added, limping around the blanket and sitting down, then tucking her socked feet beneath her.
    Mark’s eyesight was sharp enough to see that her right foot curled inward slightly, her ankle appearing skinnier than normal.
    â€œWe can call the police from there and report what happened,” she continued. “And also notify the FAA and Inland Fisheries about your crash. I think Inland Fisheries gives you a week or something to get the plane out of the pond.”
    Mark looked at the dying fire. “I don’t wish to notify anyone of what happened.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œIt would be better if the incident is forgotten. I will quietly have the plane removed.”
    â€œYou can’t mean that. Someone tried to kill you.”
    He turned to settle himself facing her, ducking his head to look her level in the eyes. “It would accomplish nothing. Like me, the men in the other plane are not Americans. Reporting what happened would only delay my returning home to my father.”
    â€œBut—”
    He reached out and took hold of her hands. “Try to understand my reasoning, Jane. If I report this, I will be held for questioning, the police will never find a trace ofthe other plane or the men who were in it, and I will be delayed for days. I must return home immediately.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œI would ask that you trust me on this. I know what is best.”
    â€œAre you in this country illegally? Were you telling the truth about not carrying drugs?”
    Mark shook his head. “I’m not a criminal. Today’s attack was against my family.” He squeezed her hands. “It’s important you believe me, Jane. You saved my life, and I don’t want you regretting it.”
    She silently looked at him, apparently wondering if it was wise to question him further, considering she was in the middle of nowhere with a complete stranger, then hesitantly nodded.
    Using his grip on her hands, Mark slowly leaned forward and lowered his mouth to hers.
    She didn’t move. And she stopped breathing. Her lips were soft and pliable but unresponsive—likely surprised he was kissing such an un-kissable woman.
    Mark applied more pressure, using his tongue to tease her lips. She sighed and finally opened her mouth, letting Mark delve deeper into her sweetness before he pulled back to find her eyes looking more confused than wary.
    â€œThank you, Jane Abbot,” he whispered, leaning close enough to give her another kiss, this one fleeting and chaste. “For saving my life today and for believing me now. Thank you.”
    â€œYou . . . you’re welcome,” she whispered in return, staring at his mouth.
    Mark leaned back, stretching out on the makeshift bed and wiggling into a comfortable position before he drew Jane down next to him, ignoring her startled squeak. “For warmth,” he murmured as he wrapped an arm around her waist to anchor her while placing his other arm beneath her head. “Sleep,” he softly commanded as he closed his own eyes on what had to have been the strangest day of his life. He’d nearly been killed by