Desperate (Harris Trilogy Book One) by Teresa Greene Read Free Book Online Page B

whispered in her ear, “I will be gentle, Kate, I promise. I won’t hurt you.”
    She began to fight even harder. She scratched him across the face, but it was as if he felt no pain because he was so hot for her. She pushed at his chest and pleaded when he pulled his hand away to remove his pants, “I swear I am a virgin.” Crying in earnest now, she knew her pleas were useless.
    In one swift movement she raised both legs. She kicked him in the chest with both feet sending him flying backwards where he landed on the ground. She jumped up to run, but Lieutenant Emerson was too fast. He grabbed her around the waist, throwing her to the ground and fell on top of her. 
    He whispered in her ear, “Stop fighting me. I don’t want to hurt you.” He held her hands over her head with one hand while he tried to finish removing his pants with the other.
    All of a sudden, he was pulled roughly from on top of her. The moment she realized she was free, she jumped up and quickly slipped on her shirt. 
    ****
    “What is going on here?” Shocked at his Lieutenant’s behavior, Captain David Harris grabbed him by the hair and pulled him to his feet. He drew back his fist and struck him in the face and then the stomach. The Lieutenant fell to the ground on his hands and knees.
    Fists at his sides, David shouted, “I’ll ask one more time. What do you think you’re doing?”
    When he didn’t get an answer, Captain Harris jerked Emerson from the ground as if he weighed nothing. Before Captain Harris punched him again, Emerson replied in an uneasy voice, “I can explain, Captain. I found this little mermaid taking a bath. She had us believing she is a man and the truth is she’s a woman.”
    He looked down at the young woman, standing there in only a shirt. She was blushing in embarrassment as her hands gripped the front of the shirt together. He’d known there was something different about Private Monroe, but had no idea he was a woman. He could see her bountiful curves through the thin shirt that she was trying to use to cover her naked body. She was exquisite. How in the world had she hidden it from them? Unable to look away, his eyes started at her head and stopped on her bare feet before traveling back to her perfect face. Finally, he came to his senses and glared at Emerson.
    “I heard enough to know you were forcing yourself on the young woman. I heard her tell you no!” The thought of Emerson taking her against her will made him angry beyond reason. Again he hit him with another powerful blow to the face. Falling hard to the ground again, the Lieutenant didn’t even try to get up.  
    In a snap of temper, David furiously whispered, “You should have come to tell me instead of helping yourself, Lieutenant Emerson! I heard her tell you no! She should not be here, but she is, and you should not have tried to force yourself on her!” His voice began to rise in anger as he shouted, “I should have you severely punished!”  
    Emerson wiped the blood from his face and struggled to his feet. “Come on, Captain. You don’t believe she is a lady any more than I do. A lady would not be here among all these men. She’s a whore, Captain. I’d bet my life on it.”
    He shook with fury. “Get back to camp, Lieutenant. I’ll deal with you in the morning.” He kicked Emerson in the ass, and pointed toward camp. “Now!”
    He angrily stomped away. David watched him leave unable to believe the Mike he knew would do something as despicable as rape. They grew up only miles apart. Hell, he’d known the man all his life, considered him a friend.
    He peered at the frightened young woman and his anger evaporated. Huge green eyes gazed back at him. He wondered what he would do with her. “What’s your name, Miss?” 
    “Ka te Monroe, Sir. I’m so sorry. I did not mean to cause any trouble.” Tears slipped over her beautiful cheeks.
    Female tears always pulled at his heartstrings and he felt sympathy for the girl. “Well,