Golden Goddess by Unknown Read Free Book Online Page A

living in the past, but I'm not. This happens to be my vacation you're ruining, you know. I'd appreciate it if you'd keep your opinions to yourself. I find your threats and accusations bad enough as it is."
    Jarrett considered her, leaning on one elbow as he studied her defiant expression. "You do realize that suit makes you look as though you're trolling for men?"
    "So what? Maybe I am! After all, this is a vacation."
    "It ceased to be a vacation the minute you got involved with the Clydemores. And you don't need to cast out any lures for strange males. You've got me now."
    "A really strange male," she agreed in heartfelt tones.
    He ignored that. "Who's this guy on the tour you've been seeing in the evenings?"
    "You'll meet him tonight if you stick around," Hannah retorted with a certain relish.
    "You're spending the evening with me. I'm not letting you out of my sight. Especially not after Alice Clydemore gets around to finding out that her little souvenir is no longer in your bag."
    "I'm spending the evening with Danny Tyler," Hannah returned firmly. "If you insist on joining us, I suppose there's not much I can do about it. You'll probably be quite bored, however."
    "Break the date."
    "I can't."
    "The hell you can't! You've gotten yourself mixed up in a smuggling ring, lady. If you want to prove yourself innocent, you'd better do as I say. Besides, this Tyler guy can't be very interesting if the Clydemores claim the trip has been dull for you."
    "That's my business," Hannah gritted.
    Without any warning, Jarrett stretched out a hand and flattened it against the gentle swell of her stomach.
    His eyes gleamed in the sunlight, revealing an iron will he was bent on enforcing. Hannah sucked in her breath at the touch of his fingers, every nerve in her body suddenly, throbbingly aware of him in a way she didn't wish to recognize. Mutely her eyes met his.
    "Break the date, Hannah."
    "What is it with you?" she whispered starkly. "Do you always have to be in charge? Do you always have to give orders? Couldn't you try making requests ?"
    His hand pressed a little harder on her bare skin, letting her know the physical strength behind the touch but not actually hurting her. He was using raw intimidation, Hannah realized angrily. And it was highly effective. She shivered.
    "I told you last night that I don't want you to be in any doubt about who's in charge. Until 1 know for certain you're not involved with the Clydemores, I'm not taking any chances. I'm giving orders, not making requests. And you're going to obey, Hannah, aren't you?"
    "If you're ever finally convinced of my innocence, am I going to get an apology? Will you give me the satisfaction of groveling at my feet?" she taunted, calling on every ounce of courage she had. It took courage to defy this man.
    To her surprise, he actually considered the question. "No," Jarrett said at last. "No apology. If you aren't involved, then you should be thanking me. I'm keeping an eye on you for your own good. Who knows what the Clydemores might decide to do when they realize that statue is no longer in your souvenir bag?"
    Hannah stirred beneath his touch, her uneasiness generated more by the feel of his casually intimidating hand than by any thought of what the Clydemores might do. "All right," she scoffed, "I won't hold my breath waiting for the apology. In the meantime, however, would you mind removing your hand? I'd rather you didn't touch me."
    His eyes narrowed. "I like touching you. And if you're going to insist on wearing minuscule swimsuits like that one, you have to expect a certain amount of touching. Doesn't your friend Tyler put his hands on you?"
    "Not frequently," she said dryly.
    "Because you won't allow him to get close? Are you in control of that relationship, Hannah?"
    "I make an effort to be in control, yes!" she snapped.
    "Maybe you can manage the Danny Tylers of this world, but I'm different." Jarrett leaned closer, a lazily intrigued expression on his face.
    Hannah