Riding the Line Read Online Free PDF

his hand. ‘OK, but no funny business, right? And you’ll have to help out.’
    She grasped his hand and shook it, felt a curious desire to throw herself at his broad chest and weep. She restricted herself to a grateful smile as he took off his Stetson and his boots.
    ‘Now I’m going to sleep. See you in the morning,’ he said.
    She retreated to her own bed, lay down fully clothed and curled up in a tight ball. Within minutes, Dakota started to snore. She listened to the gentle buzz and found her eyes closing.
    After all her years in show business, she’d forgotten that there were people who were straightforward and honorable, who meant what they said and genuinely tried to help their fellow man without some kickback. She smiled into the darkness. Who would have thought that telling the truth would work so well? Perhaps she’d try it again in the future.

Chapter Four
     
    ‘Get up, lazy bones.’
    Robyn groaned and tried to pull the covers back over her head. ‘Fuck off , Dakota.’
    ‘Lady, it’s already midday and I have stuffto do.’
    ‘Then go do it.’
    ‘But I need your help.’
    He sank down on the side of the bed and his weight rolled her toward him.
    ‘I’m sick.’
    He peered into her face, his breath warm and laced with coffee. She kept still as he laid his palm against her forehead. ‘You’re fine. Now get up, have some coffee and come help me.’
    Robyn struggled to sit, pushing strands of tangled hair away from her face. ‘You’re one of those morning people, aren’t you?’
    He smiled. ‘It’s midday.’
    ‘You’re also incredibly annoying.’
    ‘So I’ve been told.’ He stood up and gestured at the door. ‘Coffee’s waiting and, if you’re nice, I’ll even buy you breakfast.’
    Robyn grabbed the quilt and shuffled toward the bathroom. She didn’t feel hungry, rarely did anymore, but the coffee smelt good. Even while she showered, she could hear Dakota whistling something cheery through the thin walls. Part of her longed to slap his face, to tell him that life sucked and then got worse.
    She emerged wrapped in one of the threadbare orange towels to find him gone. With a curse, she slid back into her bra and underwear, grabbed her coat and quickly braided her wet hair. A paper cup full of coffee sat beside her purse. She picked up both items and headed for the door. A knot of anxiety formed in her gut. Had he gone? Would he be that cruel?
    She blinked at the sunlight and then stopped as a shadow fell over her. Dakota leant up against the motel wall, hat low on his head, booted feet crossed at the ankle. He smiled down at her.
    ‘You ready?’ he asked.
    She flipped her braid over her shoulder and fiddled with the end. ‘Why are you always so frickin’ cheerful? We’re stuck in this God-awful place. There’s nothing to do, nothing to see and probably nothing to eat either.’
    He pushed off the wall. ‘You’re wrong about that. I promised you breakfast, didn’t I?’
    She followed him, admiring his long elegant stride and the confidence with which he moved through the quiet sun-drenched streets. She grimaced at his back. How in hell could she still find him attractive after he’d rejected her? But that had always been her problem, hadn’t it? The worse a guy treated her, the more she liked it.
    ‘You know, Dakota’s a girl’s name.’
    He stopped walking and turned back. Robyn instinctively crossed her arms over her chest as he loomed over her. At least he’d stopped smiling.
    ‘It’s a perfectly good traditional name for a guy, so shut up.’
    She opened her eyes wide. ‘Ooh, have I hit a nerve? Did you get beat up a lot in the school yard for being a big pansy?’
    His smile returned, although this time it wasn’t pleasant. ‘A lot of guys tried, but they stopped after I beat the crap out of them.’
    ‘Wow, what a hero. Am I supposed to be impressed?’
    ‘Nope, you’re supposed to shut up, change the subject and come get something to eat.’
    Robyn