Just One Touch Read Online Free PDF Page B

swept out of the way, the bucket making a noisy clank that ruined any chance for subtlety. Flashing her a knowing look, he reached past her to stroke Destiny’s nose. Her heart pounded. It was still there, then, his curious ability to cloud her thoughts with his nearness. She’d felt it last night and haddismissed it as a symptom of her adventure. Yet it remained, disturbing in the light of day.
    “I assume you’ve come here to offer to buy my horse again?” Irritated at her confusing emotions, she gathered her resolve and edged over to pet the opposite side of Destiny’s neck.
    “She was mine first, Lady Caroline.” He leaned an elbow on the stall door and regarded her from his greater height. A lock of ink-black hair curled stubbornly at his temple. “And with luck, she will be again.”
    She forced herself not to back away from the determination in his voice. “Are you a lucky man then, Mr. Hunt?”
    “Perhaps.” He held her gaze for a moment, and she felt it again, the tension, the heat that seemed to rise whenever they were together. Her body quivered in reaction, and it was everything she could do not to run from the stables. Those sharp, smoky eyes missed nothing, and his glance fell on the frantic pulse pounding in her throat, lingered there.
    She jerked back, her heartbeat skipping crazily. “Don’t.”
    “Don’t what?”
    “Don’t…look at me like that.”
    He gave her a gentle smile, but amusement flickered in his eyes. “Do I make you nervous, Lady Caroline?”
    “No. It’s just…” She laid a hand over her thundering heart and sucked in a breath. “Yes.”
    He studied her for a moment, then turned away to stroke his hand down Destiny’s neck again. “How is Denton today?”
    She blinked, thrown by the change in topic. “Better. You saved his life.”
    He flashed her a smile. “No, you did by keeping the bleeding under control.”
    She flushed and dropped her gaze, undone by the admiration in his voice. “I did what needed to be done.”
    “You kept your wits together, Lady Caroline, and walked away from your enemies, victorious.”
    “Thank you,” she whispered. Torn between pleasure and apprehension, she couldn’t look at him.
    Suddenly Destiny leaned out of her stall and playfully shoved Rogan’s shoulder with her nose, bumping him into Caroline. Caroline squeaked with alarm, stumbling back a step. Rogan grabbed her arm and steadied her, his fingers firm and strong near her elbow.
    His flesh was warm where it touched hers. A fluttering sensation rippled across her skin, and she couldn’t move. She glanced up into his face, torn between running away or leaning closer.
    “It goes away, you know,” he said quietly.
    “What does?”
    “The fear. It does fade after a while.”
    She jerked as if he’d shot her, yanking her arm from his grasp. “Who are you?” she whispered. “How could you know—”
    “I’ve been to war, Lady Caroline. I’ve witnessed what happens to a man—or a woman—who’s been through hell. And as for who I am…” He pulled a worn watch from his waistcoat and flicked it open. “I’m the fellow who has an appointment with your father to discuss purchasing this beautiful mare.”
    “An appointment!”
    “ He summoned me . Sent me a message early this morning. Bodes well, don’t you think?” With a roguish wink, he strolled out of the stables.
    Her father had summoned him? Did that mean…“One moment!” She raced after him, silently cursing his long-legged stride. “Mr. Hunt, I pray you—wait!”
    Rogan slowed, but not because of her plea. He seemed fascinated by something happening in the paddock. Just as she caught up with him, a piercing scream sliced through the peaceful morning, jerking her attention to the yard.
    Mercury Mist, her father’s new stallion, reared and pawed at the air. Stable hands swarmed around him, trying to catch the lead rope trailing from the horse’s bridle. The huge gray shrieked again, sending the stable