Paxton Pride Read Online Free PDF

wouldn’t overhear.
    â€œWhy … no … I don’t think …”
    â€œOf course. This morning at the Capitol. You were in the rotunda. I remember well.”
    â€œWhy, yes … I suppose you’re correct, but I don’t seem to remember you,” she lied, her breath coming a little too quickly.
    The Texan smiled, displaying two even rows of white teeth. “Well, you did look kind of busy.”
    â€œI think I remember …” Why was she talking so rapidly? “I was conversing with Senator Duffy.”
    â€œI didn’t have time to pay my respects, but I certainly intend to do so this moment, Miss …?”
    â€œHampton. Karen Hampton.”
    â€œI’m Vance Paxton. And most pleased to meet you.” The lanky Texan squatted down where Karen had been lying and looked up at her. His eyes, blue and deep, flashed innocently. “Care to join me, Miss Hampton?”
    Karen considered. Proper etiquette required her to leave immediately, but curiosity and an adventuresome spirit insisted she stay. The scales tipped to the latter as the innocent look in the Texan’s eyes gave way to one of daring. Karen was willfully confident she could handle any dare.
    She sat next to him, arranging the full skirt daintily. Vance smiled, his eyes narrowing as he squinted up at the receding late afternoon sun. “I didn’t think Washington ladies ventured into the forest unescorted,” he said, his voice faintly mocking.
    â€œThis is a park, Mr. Paxton. They don’t have parks in Texas?”
    Vance chuckled aloud. “Ma’am, all of Texas is a park.” He paused a moment. “You know where I’m from.”
    Karen started, embarrassed at being caught in the lie. To cover her embarrassment she picked up a handful of pebbles and tossed them one by one into the creek, the plink plink of each stone interrupting the uncomfortable quiet. Vance appreciatively studied the curve of her back, partially hidden by thick golden cascades of hair. Now that her eyes were averted, he could examine her profile. A wave of hair couldn’t disguise completely the high forehead. Her nose was slightly upturned, a nose bespeaking curiosity and impishness. Lips a little too tight, a little too dry, parted and hinted of secret, hidden sensuality as her tongue flicked nervously over them. The chin not weak, not too strong; argumentative perhaps but not intransigent. Her skin was creamy white, but not the sickly pale of the rest of the northerners. Rather a healthy, glowing ivory. Green eyes, into which one might wish to dive, to be willingly lost forever, glowed with an inner light and hinted of the woman hidden beneath the child-like innocence of her face.
    Karen sensed his perusal and despite her efforts a soft flush crept up her cheeks. “I … I come here often … to be alone,” she said, her voice giving further evidence of her discomfort.
    â€œMiss Hampton. It would be ungracious of me if I did not say you are a very lovely woman.”
    Karen felt his hand touch hers, grasping it in his own sun-browned, calloused fingers, lifting it to his lips, kissing it softly. She withdrew her hand from his grasp and rose abruptly, head swimming and legs weak. She had to clear her throat before speaking. “As you are a visitor to Washington, sir, perhaps I might take it upon myself to guide you through Rock Creek Park. It’s a lovely place. Much that is special and beautiful about Washington is to be found here.”
    â€œSo I have discovered.” Vance rose and gave a slight bow. “Ma’am, following you would be one of the few pleasurable experiences of my entire stay here in the capital.”
    â€œIs that what they call ‘southern cordiality,’ Mr. Paxton?”
    â€œOnly the truth, simply stated, Miss Hampton.”
    Karen flashed a smile, put on her slippers and stepped off down the trail. Vance fell in behind her, watching the