Lawless Read Online Free PDF Page B

A light, cool breeze had stirred and she felt it brush her cheek, though she felt warm and content cradled in his arms.
    In the arms of the Cal Riker. It was a ludicrous thought, but then again, the entire abduction seemed unreal, as if someone else had lived it.
    28
    www.samhainpublishing.com

    Lawless
    “Why did you join up with them?” The question seemed a natural one. “Obviously it wasn’t for the money, otherwise you would have kept your share. It isn’t because you enjoy their company either, I got that easy enough.”
    “And here earlier I was thinking you were something I didn’t reckon I’d ever run across, a female who didn’t ask a bunch of questions.” He drawled the words in that soft southern accent she found so attractive.
    Defensively, she said, “It’s natural to be curious, especially since I am forced to trust you at this point.”
    “Don’t.” The word was abrupt and edgy.
    “Don’t what?”
    “Trust me. Not for one minute. I’m not worthy of it, and I don’t want the responsibility. Just because I didn’t force you last night doesn’t mean I wasn’t thinking about what it would be like if you were willing. In fact, I’m pretty sure you noticed I was.”
    How he’d moved against her wasn’t something she’d likely forget. Even though they hadn’t done what he pretended they were doing, he had still pushed her legs apart and lain between them. How easily he had subdued her with his superior weight and strength was a sobering reminder of her vulnerability. “I noticed,” she admitted, her voice low and a slow blush burning her cheeks.
    “Your problem is, Miss Daniels, you are one very pretty young lady. Maybe the prettiest I’ve ever seen.”
    His hand lifted and he touched her cheek very lightly with his long fingers, the caress just a brush but the contact sending a jolt of awareness through her entire body.
    …if you were willing…
    His voice was husky. “I’m going to guess your father has his hands full keeping all those hungry ranch hands away from you. For his sake, I hope you don’t have any sisters.”
    “One brother,” Laurel managed to say, aware he was staring at her mouth. Her pulse fluttered in her throat as she saw his lashes—ridiculously long and thick for a man—drift www.samhainpublishing.com 29

    Emma Wildes
    downward a fraction as he bent his head. Warm breath fanned her cheek. She vaguely heard herself ask, “What are you doing?”
    “Showing you why you can’t trust me. Maybe I didn’t take advantage of you last night, but for twenty thousand surely you owe me a kiss.”
    The first touch of his lips made her gasp, a sound he swallowed by settling his mouth more firmly against hers. If she’d been cold before, that was dissipated by the solid feel of his hard body and the iron hold of his arms, and she felt almost too warm as his tongue sought entrance with gentle insistence.
    Though she’d been kissed before, it had never been like this.
    For one thing, he took his time. This was not a hurried moment stolen by some lovesick, awkward young cowboy. Cal Riker might be good with a gun, but he was obviously pretty skilled in other ways too. The firmness of lips, the sharp taste of whiskey, the thud of his heart, it all blended into the almost surreal essence of the moment. He melded their mouths together in a way that made her feel a part of what he was doing, part of his need. One hand ran gracefully down her arm and caught hers, twining their fingers in an intimate clasp with a small squeeze as they kissed.
    It was a very romantic gesture, and she was both bemused and astonished by the tumultuous riot of feelings it provoked.
    You need to stop at once , a nagging voice reminded her. To pull your hand away .
    But she didn’t.
    He’s a very dangerous man , the admonishment continued.
    And it had nothing to do with his infamous skill at a faster-than-lightning draw.
    “Damn my black soul, you feel so good.” The murmur was made against her