Reckless Passion Read Online Free PDF

on following Hank's energetic waltzing. Eventually the dance came to an end and Dara turned with relief to head back to the table. Somehow, in spite of his less than gentlemanly behavior this evening, Yale represented safety in this strange place. She was turning that one over in her head when a very drunken cowboy loomed in her path.
    "Is the lady beginnin ' to circulate?" he drawled deliberately, dark eyes moving crudely over Dara . “It so happens I'm lookin ' for a partner..." He stretched out a hand to snag her wrist and Dara instinctively withdrew, bumping against Hank's protruding stomach. His arm came around her protectively.
    "Sorry, the lady's only on temporary loan to me. Got to return her to the rightful owner," Hank explained breezily. But Dara could feel the sudden tightening of his muscles.
    Oh, Lord! she thought, horrified. She mustn't let this turn into a fight!
    "Excuse me," she said very firmly. "I have to get back to my table."
    "Come on, honey," the drunken cowboy said, his words slurring as he tried once again for a grip on her wrist. "I dance a hell of a lot better than this turkey, and as long as your man's lectin ' you entertain others..."
    "Let go of me, you idiot!" Dara grated, pulling her hand free with a totally exasperated movement.
    "You heard her," Hank growled, and now Dara knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that her dancing partner was preparing for battle.
    Beginning to panic, she scanned the teeming crowd for Yale.
    "Stop it, both of you," she tried in desperation. "I'm not going to dance with anyone...!"
    "Except me," the cowboy muttered.
    "Yale!" Instinctively, Dara put herself between the two men who seemed on the verge of a fist fight. "Yale! Where the...oh! There you are!"
    She saw him as he suddenly appeared behind the cowboy and tore herself free of Hank's protection to hurl herself into Yale's arms.
    "It's about time you showed up!" she hissed as he curved his arm around her waist and held her against his side.
    "Didn't take you long to start causing trouble, did it?" he observed placidly, his eyes on the drunk. "A slight misunderstanding here?"
    "Ah, he's just bombed out of his skull," Hank explained disparagingly, sauntering forward. "Thought Dara was spreading the favors around. I was about to set him straight, but now you're here I reckon that's your right."
    "No one is going to set anyone straight!" Dara yelped angrily. "I'm not going to dance with anyone! Is that clear?"
    "As crystal," Yale confirmed, grinning down at her. "Ready to sit down?"
    "Yes!"
    "Then, if you'll excuse us," Yale told the cowboy imperturbably, "we'll be on our way. Unless, of course," he added silkily, "you have some objection?"
    Dara froze, realizing with appalled comprehension that Yale was as fully prepared to fight as Hank had been. What was the matter with these men? Was that the only solution they had to "misunderstandings" of this nature?
    "Yale, please," she whispered fiercely, tugging at his sleeve. He ignored her, his narrowed, waiting gaze on the cowboy.
    "I thought she was being allowed off the leash," the drunken man muttered. "Not my fault..."
    "As I said, a misunderstanding." Yale nodded pleasantly. But Dara could feel the tautness of his muscles and knew he was still coiled to strike. "I'm sure you can find another woman. This one's mine."
    With a frustrated and angry glance at Dara , the man wheeled unsteadily and plunged off through the crowd.
    ''A sigh of relief?" Yale murmured, his fingers, which were resting just under her breast, correctly interpreting her long breath.
    "You don't have to look so nervous, Dara ," Hank told her soothingly. "Ransom ain't gonna let anything happen to you."
    "I can't tell you how reassuring that is!" she snapped without thinking, her annoyance plain.
    "Why are you so upset?" Hank demanded, genuinely puzzled. "You don't want to dance with that creep, and we're here to make sure you don't have to!"
    "Just another example of not being able to understand a