Naked Edge by Pamela Clare Read Free Book Online

to share everything he learned. She was a journalist, and she was covering this as a story. For her, this was nothing more than a business lunch, and he was nothing more than a source.
    Now do you feel like an idiot, idiot?
    Thrown off balance, he tried to cover his surprise and irritation. "How's the protest going?"
    She unfolded a paper napkin and put it in her lap, looking down at her hands. "So far the mayor and a few city council members have promised to look into what happened, but there's been no official apology from the city yet."
    He was about to warn her not to hold her breath when their server came to take their drink order. Gabe asked for water, Katherine a cup of black coffee. And for a moment, they sat in silence.
    A damned reporter!
    "How's your leg?"
    "It still hurts sometimes, but it's getting stronger. They had to put pins in it, so I haven't been walking on it for long. Thanks for asking." Her gaze skimmed lightly over him. "I thought you'd be in uniform."
    "I work weekends, so today's one of my days off."
    She looked away, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, a familiar turquoise earring dangling from her pierced earlobe. "Grandpa Red Crow wanted me to thank you for getting that officer to back off and for being respectful of the women."
    As his surprise lessened, Gabe found himself watching her, just taking her in--the strange color of her eyes, the gentle movements of her hands, the almost shy way she tilted her head as if unable to meet his gaze. He knew some Indian cultures felt it was rude to look people directly in the eye unless you knew them well, so it might have been a cultural thing. Even so, it struck him as sweet.
    "Did you report Officer Daniels?" It was then he realized she wasn't wearing any makeup, her caramel skin smooth and luminous and clean, her dark lashes thick and long, her fingernails neat and free of polish. He'd bet the curves under her sweater were real, too. She was the opposite of Samantha Price--no artifice, nothing artificial.
    "Yes," she said, still not looking at him.
    "Good. So did I." He hoped the bastard got demoted to meter maid. "If I'd been the first one to show up at Mesa Butte, none of this would have happened."
    Kat could hear in Gabe's voice that he meant what he said, and she regretted being so harsh with him Saturday night. He'd saved her life, protected her from an overzealous cop, and offered to help her get to the bottom of the whole mess. So why did she feel so ill at ease around him, this man who had twice come to her rescue? She glanced up at him--and the answer hit her.
    You're attracted to him.
    She wanted to deny it, but couldn't. Not that she blamed herself. Any living, breathing human female would be. He was one of the most attractive men Kat had ever met, more handsome even than Adam Caywood--and definitely more virile. Sitting across from her, his arm stretched over the back of the chair beside him, he seemed so big and broad-shouldered, his gray cable-knit sweater, tanned skin, and dark, windblown hair adding to the masculinity he exuded. She had some recollection of what he looked like beneath the sweater--all lean muscle and smooth skin. And those blue eyes...
    Ranger Easy-on-the-Eyes.
    That much was certain.
    She willed herself to meet his gaze, determined to let none of what she was feeling show on her face. Like she'd told Pauline and the others, this was strictly a business lunch. She'd come here for information, not to flirt. Besides she wasn't sure she really knew how to flirt. She'd never tried.
    She took a sip of her coffee, its warmth seeping slowly into her bones. "Most people call me Kat."
    He grinned. "Okay, Kat. But I think Katherine fits you better. It's prettier, more feminine."
    "What were you able to find out?" Disturbed by the way his smile and words affected her, she switched into a business tone of voice, her question coming out colder and more abruptly than she'd intended.
    He arched an eyebrow, as if wondering at the