Riding the Line Read Online Free PDF Page A

pumped had been enough to put her off that particular method of suicide for life.
    So what was she going to do? She couldn’t stay here. She needed Dakota Scott’s help. Had she alienated him completely or was there still time to try something else? She got dressed and walked back into the bedroom. He had to have gone back to his truck to bed down there. A glint of metal caught her eye on the bedside table.
    He’d left his keys behind. A smile trembled on her lips. No keys, no comfortable hiding place. Perhaps she really did have a chance to coax him back. She grabbed her coat, took his keys along with her own and cautiously opened the door.
    There was no sign of him sleeping across the threshold or on the street outside. Robyn eyed the motel office which was still lit up, the orange vacancy sign flashing on and off. Were there people in there? She thought she could see movement. Maybe Dakota was trying to persuade Dorothy to give him another room.
    Robyn marched across to the office and opened the door. Through the pink beaded curtain she saw Dakota leaning over the registration book chatting amiably to Dorothy. She pinned on a bright smile and went right up to him.
    ‘Honey, did you realize you left your keys?’
    He glanced up at her, his expression wary. Robyn flashed a conspiratorial smile at Dorothy.
    ‘My sweet little honey bun was probably trying to get another room so he didn’t have to wake me up. He hates it when we fight. Is that right, baby?’
    Dakota stared at her. ‘I reckoned you’d prefer to be by yourself, lambkins .’
    She linked her arm through his. ‘Oh no, honey, you just come right back to bed. Wouldn’t want to bother Ms Dorothy with our silly problems, now would we?’
    She hoped he heard the implied threat in her words and would rather have this out with her quietly than in front of the motel manager. She let out her breath when he allowed her to tug him away from the desk.
    He tipped his hat at Dorothy. ‘Sorry to bother you, ma’am. Have a good night.’
    Robyn kept hold of his arm until he was firmly back inside their room.
    He sat down on the bed and held out his hand, his expression guarded. ‘Can I have my keys?’
    She shook her head. ‘Not until you hear me out.’
    A resigned look crossed his face. ‘Dammit, Robyn, I just want some sleep. Can’t this wait until morning or are you planning on raping me again?’
    ‘I didn’t rape you!’
    ‘Sure felt like it.’
    She stared at him, all her anger disappearing in a rush along with her self-confidence. His image blurred as tears filled her eyes. ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered.
    He shifted his feet but kept his gaze fixed on her. She waited for him to speak but he didn’t.
    ‘I’m sorry for coming on to you.’
    ‘OK.’
    She stared at him. ‘Aren’t you going to shout at me?’
    ‘What’s the point? You apologized. I accept your apology.’ His expression sharpened. ‘Now tell me what’s going on or I’ll walk out of here and never come back.’
    She stared at him, measured the strength in his eyes and his purposeful demeanor. God, she was so tired of lying. ‘I need a ride out of here.’
    ‘I guessed that.’
    ‘And I thought the best way to get it was to appeal to your baser nature.’
    ‘By using sex, right?’
    She shrugged, tried to smile. ‘It’s all I have to offer at the moment.’
    ‘I was going to give you a ride anyway.’
    ‘You were?’
    ‘Of course I was.’ He frowned. ‘Did you think I’d leave you stuck here alone?’
    Unable to bear the outrage and honesty in his gaze, she stared down at her clasped hands. ‘I don’t know where I’m going.’
    He sighed. ‘I guessed that as well.’
    ‘I don’t know anything anymore.’
    ‘Who does?’
    She risked another glance at him, saw the understanding on his face and took a deep breath. ‘Would you let me tag along with you for a while? I promise to behave myself.’
    He stared at her for so long that she started to shiver. He held out