Hunted, A Romantic Suspence Novel by Suzanne Ferrell Read Free Book Online Page A

the other end of the sofa, Katie tensed. Her eyes widened and she sucked in a deep breath.
     
    “Nearly a decade ago, convicted of the Philadelphia Federal Building bombing, militant militia leader, Jacob Strict, known to his followers as The Prophet, was sentenced to die by lethal injection,” the reporter stated. “After years of appeals, the date of his execution has finally been set for December thirty-first.”
    Another picture filled the screen. The reporter moved on to the next headline.
    Matt turned off the television and focused all his attention on Katie. “How do you know Strict?”
    She pulled her pillow tightly to her, holding it like a shield, her gaze still on the now-blank screen. Fear radiated from her, even as she shook her head.
    Matt scooted the dog out of his way and knelt in front of her. Gripping her shoulders, he pulled her to a sitting position, holding her there until she focused on his face. “You have to talk to me, Katie. I can’t keep you safe if I don’t know what’s going on.”
    Tears filled her eyes, then she closed them tight for a minute. When she opened them again, he read only bleak despair in them. “There’s no place safe for me.”
    “You’re safe with me.” His hands massaging her shoulders.
    “For now. But he’ll find me.”
    “Strict?”
    She nodded.
    “Why?”
    “Because I betrayed him.” She broke the current between them, staring down at her arms wrapped tight around the pillow in front of her.
    Exasperated by her lack of trust in him and her apparent defeat, Matt released her. He stood, then grasped her by one elbow to help her off the couch. He tipped her chin.
    The desire to kiss her overwhelmed him. It would be so easy to sample those soft, luscious lips. The warmth of her body so close to his, the feminine scent of gardenias filled his senses. But he wanted more from her. He wanted her trust.
    “Get some sleep, Katie. Maybe in the morning, you’ll feel like letting me really help you.” He pressed his lips to hers, a gentle kiss. A promise. A comfort. A simple exchange of human contact. Before it could get out of control, he eased away and released her. “Take the second room upstairs. I’ll sleep in the one closest to the stairs.”
    A bemused expression crossed her face as she moved away. She nodded and carried her pillow-shield up the stairs. Matt watched her go. He grinned to himself.
    She didn’t even notice the dog following her.
     
    Katie climbed into the cold bed and snuggled beneath the sheets and quilt. She touched her fingers to her lips.
    Matt had kissed her.
    No one ever kissed her like that before. Her lips still tingled. She ran her tongue across them, tasting the hint of chocolate he’d left there, remembering the feel of his warm lips on hers.
    She’d received her share of slobbering advances growing up. For years boys and men tried to garner favor from her stepfather through her. Once they learned she meant less to the man than his pitbulls, she’d been left alone.
    Matt’s kiss hadn’t filled her with fear or revulsion. Instead a pleasant sense of warmth, comfort, and something akin to excitement had suffused her. When he’d released her and stepped away, she’d wanted to beg him to kiss her again.
    This man’s tenderness was dangerous. The comfort he offered would make her soft. To fight the Devil she needed to stay tough. She couldn’t let Matt get too close, for his own sake.
    And oh, she so wanted to wrap herself up in his promises of safety. She wanted to tell him everything. Not just today’s troubles, but all the long terrible nightmare she’d lived through since the day her father died. She couldn’t do it, though. She couldn’t let herself fall into that trap. Once, years ago, she’d gone to the Marshals with her story and they’d promised to keep her safe.
    What Matt didn’t know, couldn’t understand, was she brought as much danger to him as he did to her. The Devil was coming for her. Her day of