Deliciously Wicked by Robyn DeHart Read Free Book Online Page A

started the grinding to put some noise between them.
    â€œOf course,” she said.
    But something told him she knew different. She knew he’d needed saving, and that irritated him to the bottom of his scuffed boots. She was irritating, with her matching clothes and her sunny outlook. She was everything he couldn’t have and shouldn’t even want. And yet want her he did. For that reason alone, her very presence prickled his skin with annoyance. He frowned simply to spite her.
    Yet he had the sudden urge to pull her to him and kiss her senseless. More than likely that was only a reaction to prevent her from talking.
    She leaned over and stilled his arms. “I realize you are working now, but I do have something we need to discuss. Might you meet me later today?”
    Did he have a choice? She’d saved his hide, and he owed her at least this much. Not to mention his skinwas boiling beneath the heat of her touch. He nodded. “Where?”
    â€œHere is fine. In my father’s office. I shall return this afternoon at the conclusion of your shift. I have some other appointments right now.”
    â€œVery well.”
    â€œExcellent. Until then,” She tapped her umbrella on the floor once, then turned to leave.
    He refused to watch her retreat. As it was, the rest of the men had been eyeing them carefully. He did not need any additional attention at the moment.
    â€œDon’t think I won’t be watching you,” a voice snarled from behind him.
    Munden. What a bastard.
    â€œMaking friends with Piddington’s daughter won’t save you forever,” the foreman said.
    â€œI have no doubt. Now, if you don’t mind,” he said, then turned his machine on, relieved finally to be able to concentrate on his work.
    And concentrate on it he would, as soon as he could get the image of kissing Meg out of his mind. He should never have touched her the other night. Hell, he didn’t even know why he’d done it in the first place. He wasn’t generally in the habit of seducing wealthy virgins.
    Which meant keeping his mind, mouth, and hands off Meg.
    â€œMunden’s got it in for you,” Jamie said from across his machine.
    Gareth nodded. He didn’t want to tell his friend that he would likely not be in this trouble had it not been for Jamie.
    â€œHe’s a fool,” Gareth said.
    â€œAye. But the lass, she’s a pretty one.”
    Gareth didn’t reply to that one.
    â€œI know you think so too. I’ve seen the way you look at her. That red hair must flame up your Irish blood.” Jamie wiggled his thick eyebrows.
    Gareth chuckled. “If you spent less time worrying about flaming blood, Jamie, you might not have so many children.”
    â€œOch. Seven’s not so many. As soon as Mary is healed up, we might go for number eight.” The Scot laughed heartily at his own jest. “Thank you. For the other night. She gets right cranky if I’m not there when the wee ones come.”
    Gareth nodded. If he had a wife who was birthing, he’d certainly want to be there.
    â€œSo what does Munden want with you? And why is the lass involved?” Jamie asked.
    â€œHe thinks I stole something. Miss Piddington is handling things while her father is out and she saved my job,” Gareth said.
    Jamie grinned broadly. “She’s a good one, then, like her father.” Jamie nodded. “Good for her. Munden will get his someday. Men like him always do.”

Chapter 4
    M eg waited in the phaeton outside the factory. Ordinarily she would walk over to the factory, but the slight mist in the air felt too damp. She didn’t want to go inside until the rest of the men filed out. But more so, she wanted more time. More time to breathe deeply and gather her wits.
    Something about Gareth rattled her senses, an occurrence she’d never before experienced. She generally knew precisely what to say at precisely the moment it needed