The Wedding Ransom Read Online Free PDF

together nice.
    “I am
not
sickly,” she protested. “It’s my grandfathers who need worrying about. Lucky’s old shoulder wound still pains him, and Ben’s breathing troubles scare me half to death. I do wish he’d leave off with the tobacco. I don’t see how that can be good for him. Why I—” She broke off suddenly and tossed Rafe another glare. “Why am I defending myself to you? You should be asleep like the others, not invading my bath. This is so embarrassing. I’m surprised I didn’t swoon.”
    Rafe shook his head. “Nah, you don’t strike me as a swooner.” Rafe was good at reading people, and he could tell this woman possessed strength to go along with her beauty. And she
was
beautiful. Maggie St. John was exquisite.
    Dawn had slowly painted their surroundings with light, treating Rafe to a clearer picture of the woman with whom he shared the bathhouse. She wore her fiery reddish gold hair piled high on her head. Disheveled tendrils escaped to spiral invitingly beside her flushed, high-boned cheeks. Rafe marveled at her eyes. They were a brilliant blend of blues and greens framed by long, curling lashes. A dusting of freckles bridged her thin, straight nose and her mouth…good Lord, her mouth was rosy and ripe and damned kissable.
    Maggie St. John. She was a true pirate’s prize. No wonder the buccaneers defended her so ardently. Rafe forgot all about the questions he’d intended to ask, as his voice dropped to a husky rumble. “My life has been a tad tame of late, Miss St. John. I’m looking for adventure.”
    She rolled her eyes. “In my bath?”
    Rafe’s gaze fastened on her lips. “It wasn’t what I started out to do, but now that you bring it up, it seems like an excellent place to begin. A moonlit dawn, a beautiful woman. She’s all but naked. I am naked.”
    She plastered herself against the wall. “You’re not wearing bathing attire?”
    “Only the natural kind. Just like you.” Amusement played at the corners of Rafe’s mouth as he feigned an affronted tone. “You didn’t notice when I grabbed hold of you? Shoot, woman. You’ve struck a blow to my masculine pride.” He flicked at the surface of the mud with his finger and clicked his tongue. “Reckon I’ll have to make up for it. Now, where was I? We’re alone, it’s still officially nighttime, and your grandfathers—”
    “Will kill you if you touch me.”
    “I know,” Rafe replied. “They’ve warned me at least a hundred times. That adds to the excitement, don’t you see? The forbidden is always more tempting than what is ours for the taking. Add that thrill on top of what we can give each other and, well, we can have ourselves a right fine adventure. What do you say, Miss Maggie?” He lowered his voice to an intimate purr. “Care to go adventuring with me?”
    Rafe didn’t know what reaction he expected from her at his blatant attempt at seduction, but the one he got surprised him. Pressed back against the timbered wall of the pool, she spurted a laugh. “I can’t believe this. My grandfathers have brought home a lothario. If you’re not as bold as black on a bride.”
    “Now, Miss Maggie.”
    She cocked her head and studied him. “No, that’s not it after all, is it? Judging by your reputation, Malone, you are not a fool. Your sense of humor might be a bit misplaced, but you’re not stupid. That wasn’t a serious proposition.”
    Yeah, it was
, Rafe thought. Halfway serious, anyway. He certainly wouldn’t have refused her if she’d accepted.
    Rafe leaned back against the wall and frowned at her, his masculine pride pricked. She didn’t have to act as if the idea was totally preposterous. Why, he knew plenty of women who would be tickled spitless to have him sharing their tubful of mud under similar circumstances. “You figure it out however you like, lady. I’m not in a habit of explaining myself. And just in case you’re thinking of getting snippy on me again, remember that you are the one