Hanchart Land by Becky Barker Read Free Book Online Page A

while."
    Once again, Susan found herself obeying without argument. She was feeling drained again and welcomed a chance to lay her head down for a little bit.
    The pool was Olympic size and took up a good section of the backyard. A security fence enclosed the entire patio and concrete deck around the pool. Several cushioned lounge chairs were on the deck, so she pulled one close to the water and sat down on it.
    She’d take a dip when she felt a little more rested. After applying some sunscreen, she stretched out on the chaise. It was really comfortable and the sun felt wonderful. She pulled the stretchy band from her hair so she could lay her head down flat, and within minutes, she was sound asleep.
    Some time later, sleep brought her incredibly erotic dreams. She had the total, undivided attention of a faceless, nameless man who came for no other reason than to please her. It began with a massage by strong hands using warm, fragrant oil.
    He started with her toes and then inched his way over the ball of her foot to her arch. His thumbs worked magic as they gently, but firmly, stroked her instep until she felt a warm tingling sensation creep up her spine. First one foot and then the other received highly focused attention. Susan heard herself moan with pleasure as more ripples of sensual bliss bombarded her.
    The hands moved slowly up her calves, rubbing and caressing muscle and flesh until every nerve ending in her body was alive with seductive heat. Her thighs were especially sensitive and the hands stroked them with a liquid heat that set her on fire. She whimpered and shifted her legs in little, restless twitches.
    Then the hands had her hands, caressing each ringless finger, her thumbs and palms. Her arms were molded and stroked until her toes curled and a whole new sort of tension invaded her body.
    She whimpered again softly when the palms of his hands skimmed over her ribs and ever so lightly across her breasts, bringing her nipples into aching fullness with just the briefest touch.
    When the callused, yet tender hands kneaded her shoulders, caressed her neck and finally cupped her face, an image of a face behind the hands began to form. Susan lifted her heavy lids and looked directly into deep-set gray eyes that were watching her with such shattering intensity it stole what was left of her breath.
    Luke's upper body was shading her eyes from the sun, so she had no problem seeing his face beneath the rim of his Stetson. His features were totally devoid of emotion, making it impossible to gauge his reaction to touching her so freely.
    "You're going to get burned," was all he said, as he took more of the lotion into his hands.  There were a lot of ways to get burned, but Susan couldn't worry about them now. She just felt—alive, aware, aroused. She tried to drag herself to alertness, but she was dazed by the blatant sensuality of his ministrations.  His hands continued to massage her cheeks, his thumbs at her temples. Then his fingers slid into her hair, combing it from her face before he moved his fingertips to massage her scalp.
    She carefully studied his face as he concentrated on his self-appointed task. If he was as shaken by the contact as she was, he didn't show it.  "Turn over and I'll do your back," he commanded, his tone low, but completely controlled.  Her expression told him she didn't know if she could bear any more of his erotic attentions, but he ignored the message and gently helped her turn onto her stomach.
    She was wide awake now, yet the sensation of floating in a dreamlike state remained with her as his hands worked a similar magic on her shoulders, back, and hips. By the time he'd spread the sunscreen over the backs of her thighs, every nerve ending in her body was quivering with unrestrained excitement.
    He grasped her hips and helped her turn so she was facing him again. Susan felt as boneless and limp as a dishrag. She could only stare at him in mute fascination at his effortless