Her Master's Collar (On the Hunt) Read Online Free PDF Page A

starting thinking more like his friend, Roland had found him shacked up with some island native. “And evidently living in the South Pacific has suited you.”
    White teeth, enhanced by the deep tan that could only come from days spent surfing twelve-meter waves, flashed bright as he grinned. “Damn right. I’m surrounded by more pussy and ass than I can handle. Spend most days giving surfing lessons to tourists. You should have seen the set of tits on my last client. She had to have spent a small fortune.”
    “Sounds like it was money well spent.” Korene snorted.
    “Gotta say, living each day basking in tanning oil is just about as perfect as it can get. But not as perfect as you, missy.” Markus scooped Korene up into a big bear hug, her smaller figure nearly disappearing in his massive arms. Her pale skin and hair were a stark contrast to his deep coloring as his muscled arms held her close. “You look good too, Korene. Damn good.”
    “Same to you, Markus. How’s Rothgary?”
    “Stubborn as ever. Damn dog is never going to croak.”
    The dog had been a bundle of energy despite his shortcomings when Roland and Korene first met. His three-legged body had been racked with arthritis, but Roland wasn’t surprised to hear he was still alive. He’d probably die before the dog. “Have you seen Finley?”
    Markus peered over Korene’s head as he gently set her down. “Already in place.”
    Leave it to the best mechanic he’d ever known to plant herself in the most promising position to be nosy. “You mean she’s scoping out the ship. Weighing all our options to see if we need to worry about anything while on board. Valentine will meet up with us on Mars. Just as planned.”
    “Nothing changes.” The muttered statement from Korene triggered a smile from Roland.
    “Surely you had to know I’d taken care of every little detail.” She stuck out her tongue, clearly annoyed he hadn’t let her in on the plan. He’d deal with her later, right now he needed to make sure things were still going according to that plan. “Got everything we need?”
    “Papers are all in order and you’ll find identification chits in your luggage already.”
    “Speaking of identification…Mr. and Mrs. Torrington?” Korene interrupted. “Dare I even ask what room you procured?”
    Roland pressed his lips to her forehead as he threaded her arm into his again when the lift doors slid open. “The honeymoon suite, of course, sweetheart.”
    * * * * *
     
    Korene absently played with the stem of her tea glass. The quiet hum of the engines vibrated through the hull as the ship settled into a trajectory toward Mars. Everything about this transport screamed luxury. From the gleaming marble tiles on the promenade to the spectacular 360-degree views spread out before her in the sky bar.
    This wasn’t how Roland usually traveled, but these were unusual circumstances. The fact he’d wore a freshly pressed shirt and pants to the funeral should have tipped her off to his change of plans. Especially since he’d been in a suit during the initial meeting at her office. Looking back, this whole mission screamed of Roland. And exactly what she’d asked for.
    Hard to get mad at that.
    She’d hoped he would have sought her out upon his return to Earth after the staggering loss on Mars. When he never came, her hope had quickly diminished. Instead, the optimism had faded to leave her heart filled with utter despair. She’d moped, spending time hiding in her room while she pretended the rest of the world didn’t exist. When she’d finally come to her senses, she’d cursed herself for the momentary weakness. She’d turned her frustration into a determination to build the company into everything they’d once talked about.
    Waiting on Roland hadn’t been an option.
    “Want some company?”
    She jumped, nearly knocking over her glass at the sound of his voice. Looking up, she found Roland standing over her, his dark hair shining as though