Chase Wheeler's Woman by Charlene Sands Read Free Book Online Page A

day of the storm, when we were in the supply shack.”
    Chase closed his eyes briefly, trying to block out vivid, arousing images of lying with her and holding her in his arms. But he could almost feel her skin under his palms now, and the recollection became stronger each time Letty Sue fingered one of his scars. “In the shadows, they blend in with my skin.”
    “Hmm,” she said, lifting her sparkling blue gaze to his. Her eyes filled with passion, a hunger he was sure she wouldn’t really want satisfied, innocent as she was.
    He grabbed her wrist, meaning to shove her away, but instead flattened her hand to his chest. The jolt sent his senses flying, and blazing hot fire flamed from under her palm.
    She whispered his name so softly, he barely heard her. “Chase.”

Chapter Four
    L etty Sue had never felt such power, such strength in a man before. His bronzed chest, smooth and sleek, exuded pure natural masculinity. She brought her other hand up to touch his skin, hot now, matching the blazing warmth in his eyes.
    “Don’t play games, Letty Sue,” he whispered harshly.
    Her hands seemed to move of their own accord, slowly and tentatively, over the muscles of his chest. And when her finger slid over one smooth, flattened disk, Chase inhaled sharply.
    She couldn’t fathom what was happening inside her head or her body. Every fiber of her being wanted him. And a deep, low burn of longing settled in her belly. She shook her head. “That’s just it… I don’t think this is a game.”
    She was inexplicably drawn to him, rather like a moth to a flame. And like the moth, if she got too close, she’d surely get burned. Yet she’d never known another man like him, so confident, so impossibly virileand strong. And he’d been right that day at the creek when he’d first arrived, saying she hadn’t known a real man, not until now. She stood there, wanting his touch, wanting so much for him to kiss her, yet knowing all the while nothing good could come of it.
    “Easing the lust of our bodies won’t change a thing.”
    Stunned by his boldness, Letty Sue asked tentatively, “L-lust?”
    “That’s all it is. I could take you, right now, in this room, but in the end we’d both be sorry.”
    “But I—”
    “You’d best get back to the house,” he commanded sharply.
    She yanked her hands off his chest and nodded, dropping her gaze to the ground. She couldn’t look at him—her pride wouldn’t allow it. He was turning her away. A rush of humiliating heat coursed through her. She hoped it wasn’t evident on her face.
    She brushed by him, heading for the door, but his hand snaked out and grabbed her wrist gently. His eyes, hard as gunmetal now, pierced hers intently. “Letty Sue,” he said almost too calmly, “you and I barely tolerate each other. We come from different worlds, want different things. I made a promise to your mother and I don’t intend to…”
    “What, Chase? What don’t you intend?”
    His long silence unnerved her. She made a move to remove her wrist from his grasp. He held firm and his gaze roamed over every inch of her, appreciationevident as his eyes caressed each curve of her body. Small consolation, she thought.
    Chase released a breath. “Truce or no truce, it’d be best if we kept our distance.”
    “I see,” she said quietly. She tilted her head to one side and attempted to smile. She meant nothing to him. But then, why should she? She was a thorn in his side. He had a ranch to run and didn’t need a troublesome woman around, causing havoc. He didn’t like her, and now she understood just how much. This time, when she yanked, he released her arm. “You’re right, of course. We are worlds apart.” She hoisted up her chin, recovering her pride. “And I’m suddenly very tired. I’m going to bed, and I suggest you do the same. But don’t forget about our truce, Chase Wheeler. From now on, you treat me like an adult, the woman that I am.”
    Chase scratched his head and cast