In Too Deep Read Online Free PDF Page B

stood to attention.
    Tally discovered there were other ways to drown. And she was going under for the second time.

Chapter Three
    « ^ »
    The injury to the back of her arm was long and raw; several stitches had pulled out, probably while she'd been swimming for her life. Blood seeped slowly from the four-inch gash on her pale olive skin.
    Michael held her gently by the elbow as he inspected the wound. "The salt water did a good job, but some of the stitches should be replaced. Is there a doctor on Paradise?"
    "I don't think so."
    For a plain little thing she was profoundly sensual. Except for her wounds, her skin was clear and creamy, eminently touchable. Tousled, damp, black hair framed her face. Guileless blue eyes watched him with misplaced trust. The longer he held her gaze, the faster the pulse at the base of her throat throbbed.
    Michael felt a twinge of admiration for her as she maintained eye contact. Unable to resist, he brushed a thumb over the soft skin of her inner elbow. Her long, black lashes fluttered, and she drew in a sweet, sharp breath at the contact but she didn't look away. The rush of lust he felt was a surprise. He'd felt nothing in nearly a year.
    Perfect.
    Not only would she make a powerful weapon to use against Church, seducing her would be a pleasure. Michael abruptly released her. He wasn't interested in feeling . He'd smile and say the right things. He'd play to her emotions until those big blue eyes of hers shone with anticipation… and then he'd lower the boom without a qualm.
    All he had to do was remember another time and another set of trusting blue eyes.
    There'd be no deviation from his chosen path. In the end, Tally Church Cruise would be just another casualty of war.
    "I have some butterfly bandages in my first-aid kit. Should do the job."
    Her lashes dropped as she inspected a scratch on her thigh. "Great. Thanks."
    About to rise, Michael glanced down at her legs. "Jesus," he muttered, noticing the abrasions there for the first time. "What the hell happened to you? Were you in some sort of accident?"
    "Several," Tally admitted wryly, blue eyes ironic as he gently touched her leg.
    The secret, Michael warned himself, was to gentle her to his touch without getting sucked in to the sensual haze himself. He could do that. All he had to do was ignore how soft, how sweet, how… shit. He rose. "Stay put. I'll get the first-aid supplies."
    "I'll be right here."
    He paused, unable to resist brushing her cheek with one finger. "Try not to damage any other body parts while I'm gone."
    Tally smiled. "I'll do my best, Captain. Will you be gone long?"
    "All the way to the galley and back."
    "Six whole feet? I'll try to restrain my party instincts in your absence."
    "Are you a party girl?" he asked from the galley.
    She chuckled. "Hardly."
    Her husky laugh went right through him. Michael shot up a mental block. The woman was Trevor Church's daughter. A means to an end. Nothing more. "Do you always sing when you're scared?"
    "It's a lot easier and more convenient to sing than to lug around a cello."
    His lips twitched. "Can you play the cello?"
    "Not as well as I sing," she said with a smile. "And it sure beats screaming."
    He smiled, because her unfortunate singing voice was pretty damn close to screaming. "Yeah, I'm sure it does." He returned with a small first-aid box and crouched at her feet.
    "I can do tha—" He looked up at the same time, and she jabbed him in the eyebrow with her outstretched hand.
    She jerked back. " Caray ! I am so sorry…"
    He glanced up, angling his head because she was on his blind side. "Honey, I only have one eye as it is. Want to just sit still and let me take care of this?"
    "Sorry." She sighed. "I can't believe how clumsy I've been lately. I used to have perfect balance. I even learned how to walk a tightrope once. Of course, I was only seven at the time."
    The scrapes on her knees were several weeks old and didn't require much attention. Michael made busywork as