02 Buck Naked by Desiree Holt Read Free Book Online Page A

of him. “You listen to me, Matthew Stark. One word out of line, one inch of your nose in my business and I’ll make your life a living hell.”
    Reenie laughed. “She’s got your number, Matt.”
    “You may say hello to him,” Amy went on. “Cordially. Tell us to have a good time and then shut up.”
    “Not too good a time,” Matt said with a straight face.
    Amy would have given him a snotty reply, but the doorbell rang at that moment. She took a deep breath, curved her lips in a smile and opened the door. And nearly swallowed her tongue. Buck Montgomery stood there in all his six-foot-plus glory, looking far too sexy for his own good. For her own good.
    His muscular body was clad in black jeans and a white long-sleeved western shirt that set off his dark complexion. Where the top two snaps were open, the dark, curly hair from his chest just peeked out, and her hands itched to touch it. His thick black hair, which just brushed the collar of his shirt, was carefully combed but gave off a silent invitation to run her fingers through it. His feet were shod in spit-polished black boots that looked hand-tooled. But it was the heat in his eyes that singed her and blazed straight through her body.
    Matt had risen from the couch and stood beside her, hand held out.
    “Did you want to tell me her curfew, Dad?” Buck’s mouth turned up in a grin as the two men shook hands. “Because I think that’s gone by the wayside.”
    “Matt just likes to take his big-brother role a little too seriously,” Amy snapped. “If he doesn’t back off, I might be tempted to give you a synopsis of his wild bachelor days.”
    “Hey!” Matt gave her an innocent look. “Just shaking hands with a friend here.”
    But the atmosphere was clear to everyone. And in Matt’s eyes, she saw his acknowledgment of her words: Message received. Mind your own business.
    “Well.” Amy edged toward the door. “I’d love to continue this wonderful conversation, but I think it’s time for us to go.”
    Buck’s smile made her pussy throb, and his possessive arm around her heated her blood.
    “You got it, darlin’.”
    Buck laughed, a rich, deep sound as he handed her up into the cab of his truck. “I think your brother’s worried about his little sister,” he told her.
    “My brother keeps forgetting I’m not twelve.” She ground her teeth, then forced herself to relax. She had enough to be tense about tonight without throwing Matt into the mix.
    “I think if I had a younger sister who looked like you, I’d be worried too.” He slid behind the steering wheel.
    “Should he be worried?” she teased.
    The look he gave her was smoldering and there was nothing at all humorous in it. “Probably.” Then he started the truck, backed up and headed out of the driveway.
    “Where are we going?” Amy asked, searching for something safe to discuss.
    “I did a little research. There’s a nice restaurant, nothing fancy, in the next town over. The Ranch House. I’m sure you’ve eaten there.”
    “Yes, I have. Several times. It lives up to its reputation for the best steaks in Texas.” She gave him a curious look. “Was there a reason you didn’t want to eat in town here?”
    He was silent for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully. “I thought you might like something a little more private. Out of the way. I didn’t think you’d want everyone stopping by the table asking you questions.”
    She frowned. “I’m not ashamed for people to see me with you, if that’s what you’re thinking. Are you?”
    He was silent for so long Amy wasn’t sure she wanted to hear his answer.
    “Well?” she prompted, anger beginning to rise inside her.
    “No. Not at all. Far from it. Will you just take my word for it that until we’re sure where this is going, we should keep a low profile? Please?”
    There was something there, but she wasn’t ready to push it yet. Not now. At least until she learned how tonight turned out.
    “Okay. If you’re