The Outlaws: Rafe Read Online Free PDF

her shawl closer around her.   "Say what you have to say and leave."
    "All right."   He grasped her shoulders and pushed her down on the cot.   She wanted to jump up when he sat down beside her but she forced herself to ignore the tension arcing between them.
    "Let's start off with the truth.   Why did you save my skin back there in Ordway.   For all you knew I was a cold-blooded killer."
    "I was simply repaying a debt.   You helped me in Garden City, remember?   Would a killer do that?   Besides, lynching is against the law."
    He sent her a guarded look.   "Why didn't you stop the wedding?   One word from you and the marriage would never have taken place."
    "I almost spoke up, if you recall.   But you convinced me that things had gone too far.   I...couldn't let the lynch mob have you."
    "No ulterior motive?   His probing gaze settled on her stomach.   "You're not increasing and in need of a husband, are you?"
    "What!" Angela sputtered indignantly.   "How dare you!   You're making me very sorry I saved your life."
    "What about that fiancé waiting for you in Pueblo?   Isn't he going to be disappointed?"
    After a long pause, Angela said, "There is no fiancé.   I made him up for Reverend Conrad's benefit."
    "Why?"
    Since she didn't expect to see Rafe again once he departed, Angela felt no obligation to tell him her life history.   The less he knew about her circumstances the better.   She didn't know him.   Once he learned she was part owner of a gold mine he might turn greedy and decide to stick around.   She had enough grief with both Desmond and Anson trying to ruin her life.
    "It's none of your concern.   When I'm settled," she added, "I'll see to the annulment.   You needn't worry yourself about it.   Once you ride away you can consider yourself a free man.   I will make no demands upon you."
    Suspicious by nature, Rafe found it difficult to believe Angela wanted nothing from him.   No woman alive was completely selfless.   There was much she wasn't telling him.   He could force her to reveal everything, but on the other hand, did he really want to know?   He had enough on his plate already.   He was free, that's all that mattered.
    "Keep your secrets, sister.   You saved my skin, that's enough for me."   He stood.   So did she.   "I'll probably be gone when you awaken tomorrow.   Can you manage the team on your own?"
    "I've done it for the past six weeks.   I'm close to my destination.   I'll be just fine."
    "Then I reckon this is good-bye."
    "I suppose it is."
    Rafe had no idea how she ended up in his arms.   He just knew that he'd never felt anything so warm and soft in his life.   He had but to bend his head and...   He captured her mouth.   Captured and possessed it, his mouth molding hers, his tongue playing along the velvety fullness of her lush lips.   At first she stppd frozen against his length, her breath short and explosive, her body rigid.
    He drew her closer, until he felt her nipples pebble against his bare chest.   He deepened the kiss, his tongue probing, exploring what he suddenly realized was virgin territory.   He imagined he could feel her heart thudding in time to his own raging pulse.   Then he felt her mouth move tentatively under his and desire emboldened him to lower his palm to her breast.
    She twisted and lurched back, her hand raised to strike him.   He grasped her wrist before it reached his face.   Her eyes were chips of blue ice and her lips were swollen, her hair disheveled.   She was breathing fast.   So was he.   The air between them crackled.   Something had just happened here but Rafe had no idea what it was.
    "That will never be repeated again," she said shakily.   He could tell she was struggling to regain her composure.
    Rafe grinned.   "I was simply kissing my wife good-bye."
    "Good-bye, Mr. Gentry.   Try to stay out of trouble.   I won't be around to save your neck next time you clash with the law."
    Rafe decided to leave