Hannah Howell Read Online Free PDF Page B

every last dime from hardworking people.”
    He glared at her back. “I see you’ve changed your mind about suicide. Now you’re trying to get me to murder you.”
    Slowly she turned to look at him. A tiny alarm went off inside her. He looked furious. He also looked disturbingly handsome. She decided she would be wise to concentrate on his fury. Unfortunately, she was in no mood to soothe that anger.
    “Are you going to tell me you’re some sort of Robin Hood?”
    “Yeah. I steal from the rich—them—and give to the poor—me.”
    “Such philanthropy. I am overwhelmed.”
    “You will be strangled in a minute if you don’t shut your mouth and go to sleep. Or maybe there’s another reason you’re still awake.”
    She was not sure she liked the way he smiled at her. “I just want to be sure I’m wide-eyed and alert when the law catches up with you. That’s one hanging I don’t want to miss.”
    “Is that so? I thought maybe you were waiting for me to join you in that snug little bed.”
    Before she could deride the very bed he referred to, he was on top of her. She gave a soft cry of alarm as he pinned her beneath him. Although her heart beat so fast it was nearly painful, she fought to hide her fright. Frowning sternly, she glared at him. When she spoke she was pleased to hear that her voice sounded cool and calm.
    “Just what do you think you’re doing?”
    Hunter had to admire her. He could feel the rapid pace of her heart, could sense her fear. Nevertheless, she acted calm. Her bravery might be an act, but it was a good one.
    “Giving you what you want.”
    “I did not realize I had expressed a desire to be squashed flat. Remove yourself.”
    “Damn if you don’t sound like royalty ordering the serfs around. Did you learn that at some snooty Eastern school?”
    As she opened her mouth to reply, he kissed her. Leanne was too stunned to move. At first it was the fact that he was kissing her that shocked her; then it was the way the kiss was making her feel. She should be frightened and revolted. Instead, she began to feel weak inside and rather warm. To her great dismay she realized that she liked being kissed by this bank robber.
    When he nudged his tongue between her lips to stroke the inside of her mouth, she found no strength to resist. It felt too good to fight. She could only pray that he would not guess her response.
    Slowly, and with a reluctance he was loath to admit to, Hunter drew away. He had never been so affected by a mere kiss. His insides were knotted with hunger. For the first time in his life he actually, if briefly, contemplated forcing himself on a woman. He moved away from her and heartily wished he could have left her in Martin’s less than tender care.
    Looking at her wide-eyed face did not really help him regain his calm. She had not once moved beneath him, but the heated response of her full lips had told him of her desire. It was clear it had surprised her as much as it had him.
    “You didn’t learn that at any finishing school.”
    That cool insult snapped her out of her shock and she glared at him. “Oh, shut up. Are you quite done?”
    He wondered what she would say if he told her exactly how much more he felt inclined to do, then decided he had given her enough to think about. “Yup.”
    Hissing a curse, she turned on her side, her back to him. “Then perhaps I can get some rest now.”
    Lying on his back and crossing his arms beneath his head, he murmured, “Be my guest.”

Chapter Three
     
    “W HAT IS THIS ?”
    Leanne grimaced in disgust at the pile of clothes Hunter had just tossed at her feet. She knew they were clothes because of the buttons. Other than that, they looked like little more than a bundle of dirty rags.
    “Your clothes.”
    “What did you do? Rob the town drunk?”
    “They are cleaner than you think.”
    “They would have to be.”
    “Put them on.”
    “Not if I was stark naked.”
    “With only that thin, torn nightgown to wear, you