A Perfect Hero by Samantha James Read Free Book Online Page B

laughed as if she’d said something immensely amusing, a rich deep sound that might have been pleasing had it not been directed at her .
    “You did make a point of warning me that screaming would serve no purpose,” she re minded him.
    “So I did. Nonetheless, as composed as you are, one could almost believe you are accustomed to being—” He paused.
    “What? You think I’ve been kidnapped before? Hardly. Besides, what point is there in expending useless energy in melodramatics?”
    “Precisely.” He smiled. “But that you think so ill of me wounds me.”
    A chestnut brow arched in query.
    “Oh, come,” he said lightly. “I have yet to hear of your gratitude for my gallantry in rescuing you.”
    Julianna snorted, a most unladylike sound. Come to think of it, she was saying a lot of unla dylike things. More strange behavior to dissect ...or was it?
    The rogue stood before her, strong hands propped on his hips, his stance straight as an ar row. And to think she’d been worried for his safety!
    “A rescuer does not imprison his charge,” she snapped, “or advise her that screaming will ac complish nothing.”
    “We could argue the point until dawn, but then we wouldn’t get any sleep now, would we? And while I regret being such an inhospitable host and leaving you alone for so long, I suddenly find I am excessively weary.”
    He advanced toward the bed. Her guard went up as he nudged Maximilian from his shoulders, then stripped off his shirt. Confronted with the sight of his naked, hairy chest, her heart began to pound in thick, uneven strokes.
    Julianna wet her lips. “I suggest a simpler so lution. Let me go, and there will be no need for argument.”
    He said nothing, but bent to remove his boots.
    Julianna had already scooted to the far side of the bed. “Please,” she said again, a touch of ragged pleading to her tone now, “let me go.”
    “No.”
    His bluntness stung. He didn’t even have the courtesy to look at her!
    “Why not?”
    He gave no answer.
    She took a deep breath. “I can pay you. My father—he was a wealthy man. I have money enough—”
    “I don’t want your money.”
    He was growing impatient. She gestured to the two sacks in the corner. “Pray forgive me if I am skeptical!”
    His eyes narrowed. “Ah,” he said silkily. “Snooping, were we, kitten?”
    Kitten again. Drat the man! “Snooping is not a criminal offense. Theft is!”
    “I begin to think I should have bound you and gagged you. So now, if you don’t mind, I should like to go to sleep.” He lifted a corner of the coverlet.
    Julianna glared. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll escape while you sleep?”
    His slow-growing smile should have served as a warning. He paused, reached for the key he’d laid on the bedside table, and dropped it deep into the pocket of his breeches. Still wearing that smug smile, he climbed into bed beside her.
    The pompous ass! Julianna fumed and turned her back on him, putting as much space as possi ble between them. With the key inside his breeches there was little she could do. She longed to flee while she had the chance, but she needed the key! How the devil was she to get it?
    She was totally unaware that she tossed and turned until his voice split the night.
    “For pity’s sake, can you not be still!”
    Julianna froze. Peering up through the shad ows, she saw him glaring over at her, his scrutiny like the prick of a knife. “A few hours of rest is all I crave. Can you not oblige me?”
    Julianna spoke not a word. A sense of help lessness assailed her. Releasing a long, uneven breath, she tore her eyes away from his accusing gaze.
    Beside her, he raised up on an elbow. “What is this?” he demanded. “You’ve not decided to turn weepy on me now, have you?”
    Her fingers clutched at the blanket. She stared at the rafters on the ceiling. Stupidly, foolishly,
    she did want to cry.
    Time stretched endlessly.
    “I’m sorry,” he said rather stiffly. “I neglected to ask you