Untamed Read Online Free PDF

do it?” he asked suddenly.
    Jo gave him a curious look. “Why? Because it’s my job.”
    By the way he studied her, Jo could see that he was not satisfied with the simplicity of her answer. “Perhaps I should ask
how
you became a lion tamer.”
    â€œTrainer,” Jo corrected automatically. To her left, she could hear the audience’s muffled applause. “The Beirots are starting,” she said with a glance toward the sound. “You shouldn’t miss their act. They’re first-rate acrobats.”
    â€œDon’t you want to tell me?” His voice was soft.
    She lifted a brow, seeing that he truly wanted to know. “Why, it’s not a secret. My father was a trainer, and I have a knack for working with cats. It just followed.” Jo had never thought about her career past this point, and she shrugged it aside. “You shouldn’t waste your ticket standing out here. You can stand by the back door and watch the rest of the act.” Jo turned to lead the way to the performer’s entrance but stopped when his hand took hers.
    He stepped forward until their bodies were nearly touching. Jo could feel the heat from his as she watched his face. Her heart was thudding in a quick, steady rhythm. She could hear it vibrate through her the same way it did when she approached a new cat for the first time. Here was something new, something untested. She tingled with the excitement of the unknown when he lifted his hand to touch her cheek. She did not move but let the warmth spread while she watched him carefully, gauging him. Her eyes were wide, curious and unafraid.
    â€œAre you going to kiss me?” she asked in a tone that expressed more interest than desire.
    His eyes lit with humor and glittered in the dim light. “I had given it some thought,” he answered. “Do you have any objections?”
    Jo considered a moment, dropping her eyes to his mouth. She liked its shape and wondered how it would feel against hers. He brought her no closer. One hand still held hers while the other slid around to cradle her neck. Jo shifted her gaze until their eyes met again. “No,” she decided. “I haven’t any objections.”
    The corners of his mouth twitched as he tightened his hold slightly on the base of her neck. Slowly, he lowered his head toward hers. Curious and a bit wary, Jo kept her eyes open, watching his. She knew from experience that you could tell more about people and about cats from the eyes. To her surprise, his remained open as well, even as their lips met.
    It was a gentle kiss, without pressure, only a whisper of a touch. Amazed, Jo thought she felt the ground tremble under her feet. Dimly, she wondered if the elephants were being led by. But it can’t be time, she thought in confusion. His lips moved lightly over hers, and his eyes remained steady. Jo’s pulse drummed under her skin. They stood, barely touching, as the Big Top throbbed with noise behind them. Lazily, he traced her lips with the tip of his tongue, teasing them open. Still there was no demand in the kiss, only testing. Unhurried, confident, he explored her mouth while Jo felt her breath accelerating. A soft moan escaped her as her lids fluttered down.
    For an instant she surrendered utterly to him, to the new sensations swimming through her. She leaned against him, straining toward pleasure, sighing with it as the kiss lingered.
    He drew her away, but their faces remained close. Dizzily, Jo realized that she had risen to her toes to compensate for their difference in height. His hand was still light on the back of her neck. His eyes were gold in the darkening night.
    â€œWhat an incredible female you are, Jovilette,” he murmured. “One surprise after another.”
    Jo felt stunningly alive. Her skin seemed to tingle with new feelings. She smiled. “I don’t know your name.”
    He laughed, releasing her neck to take her other hand in his.