Mister Black: A Billionaire SEAL Story, Part 1 (In the Shadows) Read Online Free PDF Page A

should dance together for solidarity’s sake. What do you say, Scarlett?”
    I turn to look at my rescuer, but can only see the outline of his angular jaw. His dark green hood is pulled much lower than mine, cloaking part of his face in shadows. He’s dressed in light brown buckskin pants and a matching shirt. A bow is crossed over his chest, and a knife and bundle of thin rope are hooked to the soft leather belt around his trim waist. A quiver of arrows shows just over his shoulder.
    I quickly glance at the oldest brother, who looks annoyed at—oh, he’s ticked at the hooded guy, not me, thank God—and squeeze the fingers holding mine. “I’d love to.”
    The stranger has two inches on Gavin, which is surprising. Gavin’s at least six-two. The hooded guy has to be the tallest one here. In my high-heeled black boots, I just reach his nose.
    Without so much as a glance Gavin’s way, my rescuer pulls me over to the sunken area farther in the atrium where others are currently dancing to the latest pop song the DJ has queued up.
    He doesn’t release my hand once we reach a spot to dance. Instead, he spins me around, saying, “You looked like a deer facing down a hungry wolf back there.”
    My hood slides off my blonde hair as I make the full turn and end up facing him once more. Gavin’s gaze hasn’t left us; he’s watching me with an intense stare, so I smile up at my dance partner and let him continue to hold my hand as we dance. “I’m fine. What can a Wall Street type do to me? Bore me to death with financial stats?”
    He flashes a quick smile, revealing perfect white teeth. Apparently my response amuses him, so I tilt my head and keep up the solidarity ruse. “I’ve never seen you in this part of the woods before. Come here often?”
    Spinning me once more to the upbeat tune, his smile fades. “I only show up when someone needs rescuing. I’m Robin.”
    “Robin? Hmmm.” I take in his size. “You’re more like an eagle, swooping in and stealing the prey away from the wolf.”
    “If we’re going for metaphorical names, Miss Scarlett,” He chuckles, sliding his thumb over mine, “I have more in common with a raven than the eagle.”
    “Why can’t you be an eagle?” I ask, relieved that Gavin seems to have given up on watching me. He’s talking to some people by the bar now.
    “Ravens are black as sin, stealing through the night.” His deep baritone draws my attention back to him just as he switches his dancing pace with the new song starting up.
    His mouth twitches slightly, like he’s amused by an inside joke. Comparing himself to a raven is so down-to-earth, I’m thrown off and a bit charmed. This guy’s not at all what I expected from the entitled types surrounding us tonight.
    “Stealing through the night? Ooh, mysterious. How about I call you, Mr. Black?” I give him his name for the evening with a bestowing nod. Still holding his hand, I take a step back and spin toward him.
    The second I hit his chest, his hood bends toward me. Even though I can’t see his eyes, his steady regard is palpable.
    “I’m Mr. Black now?” he says, sounding intrigued. “I suppose I’ll take the moniker as a counter to yours, Miss Scarlett.”
    His quick wit combined with his amazing smell is stirring all my senses. My new favorite scent is woodsy cologne and leather. I’m thoroughly fascinated. Inhaling deeply, I look up into his shadowed face, enjoying our banter. “Hmmm, black and red are strong, bold colors.”
    “On their own, yes, but when they’re put together, they evoke a passionate response.”
    My stomach flutters, reacting to the lower tone of his voice. Are we still talking about colors? “Very astute of you to notice. Most guys don’t make the connection between colors and emotion.”
    “I’m conditioned to notice everything, Miss Scarlett,” he says in a confident tone. “There’s something about you. You definitely stand out.”
    What does he mean by that? I can’t see his