High-Stakes Passion by Juliet Burns Read Free Book Online Page B

couldn’t even take her in his arms and whirl her around the floor. Why hadn’t she gone with everyone else tonight? Even as he thought the question, he stepped closer to her.
    â€œOomph!” He grimaced as she bumped into him. Her eyes were closed and she obviously hadn’t seen him. What was his excuse?
    She grabbed his arms and steadied herself. “Oh, I’m sorry! I wasn’t watching where I—”
    He suppressed a shiver as she ran her hands down his arms. His sleeveless sweatshirt offered no protection against the soft caress of her hands on his flesh.
    She dragged in a ragged breath, bolted to the sink and stood gazing out the window.
    Had he seen tears in her eyes? Without thinking, he followed her. Wait a minute, Malone. She’s already rejected you once.
    Still, he was tired of her disdain and their angry truce.
    He lowered his face to her hair and inhaled the scent of lemons. He longed to place his lips on the back of her neck. No. He fisted his hands. He wouldn’t touch her. “What’s wrong?” he whispered in her ear.
    Now she’d say, “Nothing,” as all women did. Then she’d slyly mention what she really wanted. Probably money.
    She turned around, eyes on the floor as she wiped at her cheeks. “It was just that song.” Her lips trembled as shetried to smile. “It’s stupid to cry over a song, isn’t it?” With a choked laugh, she started sobbing.
    No, don’t…don’t cry. Don’t lean into me. Don’t you know I can’t help you?
    With a frustrated growl, he wrapped his arms around her and let her weep into his shirt. Whispering soothing words, he brushed his hand down the crown of her head and across her shoulders. She was so soft and rounded. Her breasts pressed against his chest, and he wanted to feel them in his palms. But she needed comfort now, not lust. He concentrated on keeping his hands on her back and continued murmuring soothing noises.
    This wasn’t so bad. This was something he could do, even with a bum leg. She trusted him. Needed him.
    When her sobs had run their course, she raised her head and stared at him, her lashes still wet with tears. The contempt usually sparking in her eyes was gone. Only pain and longing softened them now. He leaned down and gently kissed them dry. Hesitant, he pulled back to check her reaction.
    Her eyes were wide and her lips were parted in a questioning look.
    A fierce desire swept through him, stronger than the need for the fiery liquid he poured down his throat. He lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her with all the hunger he’d pent up since she’d first smiled at him. She tasted like strawberries and innocence, and he wanted more. With a low moan, he drew her lips even deeper into his mouth.
    She shivered and opened her mouth, and he pushed his tongue in, swirling it around hers and across the inside of her lips. Her arms came around his neck, and she pressed her body close against him. Damn it all to hell! The feel of her soft curves against him was more than he could handle. He lost control.
    He swung her around and pushed her against the island, squeezing her soft, generous bottom and grinding his hips against hers.
    Oh God, he’d missed a woman’s body! Every night this week, through a drunken haze, he’d dreamed of her in his arms like this. Still kissing her fiercely, he brought his hand up to one beautiful breast.
    She jerked her lips from his, flattened her palms against his chest and shoved him away.
    He lost his balance and had to take a step back with his good leg, throwing his arm behind him to grab the edge of the sink. Before he could reach for her, she raced from the kitchen and up the stairs.
    What the hell had he been thinking? Get it into your thick head, Malone. You’re not the Lone Cowboy anymore. All the buckle bunnies have moved on to the next big rodeo star. No woman was gonna be interested in plain old Mark