Luke (Armed and Dangerous Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

didn’t even scream. What the hell is wrong with you?”
    “Would you look at that cowboy?” Nevaeh leaned close, and Trinity caught her powdery scent. “The man is to die for. That’s a man who could rock somebody’s world.”
    Laughing, Trinity rolled her eyes. “You and cowboys. I never did go for the big-hat-and-horse types myself.”
    “Let’s at least find out his name.” Nevaeh put her hand on Trinity’s arm. “If you don’t want him, I might. Seriously. That’s one gorgeous hunk of cowboy.”
    Trinity shook her head so hard it was a wonder her hair didn’t tumble out of its clip. “I left boots and spurs behind four years ago. Even if I was free, and even if something ever came of it, I’m not about to settle down here, where I went through the worst years of my life.”
    “Mmmm-hmmm.” Nevaeh rolled her eyes. “DropCaps would let you work anywhere. And you can take the cowgirl out of the ranch, but—”
    “Madeline, is that you?” a man’s voice cut in, and Trinity winced at the name before she looked up to see Noah Ralston, one of the nicest as well as one of the most drop-dead gorgeous cowboys she’d ever known growing up. At over six feet with that chestnut brown hair mussed all over his head, he looked like he’d just come in from a long trail ride. Sexy bastard.
    “Noah!” Trinity reached up and gave him a quick one-armed hug, being careful not to spill her wine. “Dang, but it’s good to see you.”
    “Well, hell. I hardly recognized you.” He tweaked a tendril of Trinity’s hair and gave her his easy grin. “Probably wouldn’t have if Nevaeh here hadn’t told me you were coming, and that you’d changed. You’re all grown up now.”
    Trinity felt heat creep up her neck and she shook her head. “Thanks, big guy. You don’t look so bad yourself.” And he didn’t. The tall, well-built man was a good eight years older than she, but she’d sure had a crush on him back when she was a teenager, until he’d gotten married. He’d always been more like a teasing older brother, one of the few guys in town who hadn’t tormented her, and she’d come to appreciate him as a good friend. It had been a real shame when his wife was killed in that car accident, leaving him a widower and a single parent.
    A faint ringing sound met Trinity’s ears over the Christmas music. Noah gave Nevaeh and Trinity a sheepish grin as he dug the phone out of his pocket and checked the caller ID. “Sorry, ladies. I’m on call and I’ve got to take this.”
    “No problem.” Trinity smiled and waved him off. “We’ll do some more catching up later.”
    Noah nodded and put the phone to his ear as he headed up the stairs, probably to someplace where it was a little more quiet.
    “You know that Noah’s an intelligence agent with Customs and Border Protection, don’t you?” Nevaeh’s smile turned into a frown as she started to add, “He’s here with—” She stopped as the caterer rushed up and interrupted, telling Nevaeh she was urgently needed upstairs in the kitchen.
    “All right, all right.” Nevaeh sighed and waved the caterer off. “Be right there.” She turned to Trinity. “Think you can fight off all the men while I go handle this mini crisis?”
    “Sure.” Trinity laughed and raised her wineglass. “I’ll do my best to stay out of trouble.” Her gaze cut to Killer. “And I’ve got my buddy right here.”
    “Go talk to that cowboy,” Nevaeh said, pointing into the growing, well-dressed, and talkative crowd.
    Trinity glanced in the direction Nevaeh pointed, but saw no one special. Lots of fancy suits, lots of strong, expensive cologne to make her eyes water. Heavy cologne was such a turnoff. She loved a man’s true scent—most of the time.
    She lifted the goblet to her lips. A devilishly adorable guy with jet-black hair and a neat moustache was gazing at her as he sipped a majorly expensive mixed drink. Black Armani suit, expensive black hat with a beaded edge, silver