Jo Goodman by My Reckless Heart Read Free Book Online Page B

recovered?"
    "I couldn't say."
    Jonna noticed he hadn't the grace to look at all contrite. That irritated her. "Then you haven't told anyone that you knocked the man senseless."
    "He deserved it."
    "He was trying to help me."
    "He was interfering," Grant said.
    "You were hurting me."
    Grant's dark eyes softened, as did his tone. "And for that I'm profoundly sorry, but I thought you were having a nightmare. I was trying to comfort you. Must I apologize the rest of my life for mistaking the situation?"
    "No, of course not," she said immediately.
    "Then..." His voice trailed off, but his expression was hopeful.
    Jonna frowned. "Then what?" she asked. "Your apology to me changes nothing about Captain Thorne's situation. Until Dr. Hardy releases him from my care, he will remain a guest in my home."
    "You're maddening. Do you know that? Absolutely maddening."
    "If you want to be mad at someone, try being mad at yourself. You're fortunate that the blow you gave Captain Thorne only set back his recovery instead of killing him. In his condition he was in no way prepared to fight you."
    "That's not how I remember it."
    Jonna ignored that. She pressed her fingertips to her temples, closed her eyes, and began massaging away the first hint of a headache. "I can't discuss this any longer, Grant. You're not wearing me down. You're wearing me out. There's a difference, you know."
    He crossed the room again and this time rounded her desk. Pushing aside the ledger, he sat on the edge. "Jonna," he said quietly, persuasively. "Jonna. You must listen to me. For appearance's sake, if not for reason's, you should put Thorne up somewhere else. I'll take care of the arrangements and pay for them. That should show you I'm willing to make amends for my behavior that morning. Think what you're doing, Jonna, by having him live in your home. You're my fiancée. Surely you can see it isn't right."
    Jonna's hands dropped to her lap. She leaned back. The soft leather upholstery cushioned her head. She opened her eyes and stared at him. "Saying it often doesn't make it so, Grant," she said tiredly. "I've never said I would marry you. Don't press that point on top of the other."
    He said nothing for a long minute, then reached for her wrists. Taking them in one of his large hands, he easily pulled Jonna to her feet. She came without resistance to stand between his splayed and outstretched legs. For Grant it was something of a surprise and a disappointment. Overpowering her would have made the moment sweeter. He let go of her wrists and placed his palms on either side of her face. She was watching him intently now, the centers of her violet eyes darkening.
    He bent his head and kissed her. Long and thoroughly. There was no consideration for her lack of response. In his own time, he set her from him carefully, with more thoughtfulness than he had shown in taking her. "I'll concede victory to you on the matter of Thorne," he said quietly. "But not on the matter of the other. You will be my wife."
    * * *
    It was after eight o'clock when Jonna arrived home. The long day in Remington Shipping's offices had been largely unproductive. Grant Sheridan's departure had in no way meant she could return to business as usual. Not with the imprint of his mouth on hers. Not when he left her feeling uncertain and unsettled.
    It was the first time he had kissed her on the mouth. He had taken her hand before and pressed it to his lips. He had unbuttoned her glove and kissed the back of her wrist. He had touched her cheek briefly in greeting when they were in the privacy of her salon or his carriage, but he had never asked for nor taken a more intimate liberty. Until now. She wondered at it, wondered at his timing.
    Before this morning all she had wondered about was the kiss. At least the dreaded anticipation of that was behind her.
    Jonna slowly removed her damp coat and hat and handed them to Mrs. Davis.
    "Is everything all right, Miss Remington?" the housekeeper asked, her brow