Untamed Desire Read Online Free PDF Page B

with men who could provide enough money for me to fly?”
    Jim held up his hand. “Hey…take it easy! Damn, you’re touchy.” His gray eyes darkened as he held her fiery gaze. “I can’t envision any man expecting you to do anything you didn’t want to do. I simply meant it as an honest compliment. Truce?”
    Storm licked her lower lip, managing to quell her anger. “Okay, I’m sorry. It’s just that…”
    “What?” he coaxed.
    “Oh, never mind! You’d never understand.”
    Jim poured himself more coffee and held the thermos out to her. “Try me. I’m not the ogre you make me out to be. More?”
    She held out her cup. After taking a quick sip, she growled, “I’m sick and tired of men who ogle me and then suggest I’m competent because they’re preoccupied with my body, that’s all.”
    “Don’t knock it. You’re good-looking, and that certainly doesn’t hurt.” He grinned mischievously. “At least not from my standpoint.”
    Her face stiffened, and she held his gaze. “Listen, you have no idea what it’s like to be told by some big executive that I don’t have a brain in my head because I’m good-looking. That’s why,” she said stubbornly, “this job means so much to me. Dan Bradford hired me on the basis of my skill, not my appearance. And I intend to pass muster with or without your help.”
    “I believe you mean it. If you’re as good as your blarney, Reynolds, you just might make the grade after all.”
    For the duration of the flight, Storm mulled over their conversation. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask why he didn’t want a woman pilot around. He didn’t seem to dislike her personally.
    Sighing, she concentrated on flying the Queen to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to meet their party of hunters.
    Storm disliked Nate Rickson immediately. His face was rough with a day’s stubble, and his bulbous nose dominated his meaty features.
    “What’s this, Talbot?” he boomed, slapping Jim heartily on the back. “You finally break down and get another woman? By God, she’s a looker.”
    Storm halted downwind of the hunter, smelling the mixture of rancid cigar smoke and liquor that surrounded him. Compressing her lips, she threw back her head and placed her hands on her hips.
    “Cool it, Rickson,” Jim growled. He turned to Storm. “This is Ms. Reynolds, and she’ll be piloting for you.”
    Nate’s bushy eyebrows rose in obvious pleasure.
    “I got a better idea, Talbot. You pilot, and the little lady can join us in the back for a party.” He boomed with laughter, his fat body shaking.
    Storm stepped forward, ready to come to her own defense, but Jim gripped her arm firmly, effectively stopping her. He gave her a slight shake of his head, warning her off. Drawing her to one side, he looked closely at the hunter.
    “I hear one more slurred word coming out of your mouth, Rickson, and you can fly to Alaska on your own hot air. Got that?”
    “Ah, Talbot, you’re such a sour bastard. Hell, I was just joshing!” He peered across Jim’s shoulder at Storm. “Beggin’ your pardon, ma’am. If you’re a bush pilot, you know we’re nothing but a bunch of good ole boys lookin’ to have a good time.” He grinned, showing his capped teeth, and Storm cringed, frowning.
    “I’m not in the habit of listening to sexual harassment garbage, Mr. Rickson,” she returned pointedly.
    To her surprise, Jim came to her side, his hand settling on her elbow. A brief shiver rippled through her, and she turned, giving him a querulous look.
    “Storm and I are going out to eat, Rickson. We’ll be leaving at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow, so make sure you’re here by then and have your gear stowed on board.”
    He propelled Storm off the apron area to file the return-flight plan at the Operations building. Finally, his hand slipped from her elbow.
    “Where do you pick up these lechers?” she asked.
    “Most of the hunters are decent enough. Rickson and his bunch are very rich businessmen from