Natural Born Trouble by Sherryl Woods Read Free Book Online

“Admit it.”
    â€œYes,” Dani said softly. “Yes, he was.”
    â€œA little louder. I didn’t quite hear that.”
    â€œHe was a lousy, good-for-nothing, son of a bitch.”
    Angela grinned. “Better. Want to try one more time?”
    Tears rolled down her cheeks, but she shouted the words at full volume, adding a few more derogatory remarks for good measure. It was surprisingly cathartic, she concluded, laughing.
    â€œI hope you weren’t talking about me,” Duke said, appearing out of nowhere at the end of the porch.
    Dani couldn’t seem to find her tongue, but Angela grinned at him.
    â€œIs that how people usually refer to you, Duke?”
    â€œSome do,” he admitted.
    â€œWell, you can rest easy. In this case, we were talking about someone else.”
    His gaze settled on Dani, his expression thoughtful. “I see.”
    Angela looked from Dani to Duke and back again. “I think I’ll run along now. Clint’s probably wondering where I disappeared to. He gets panicky when he thinks he’s going to have to change a diaper.”
    Something that felt a whole lot like panic settled in the pit of Dani’s stomach as well as she watched her cousin disappear and saw Duke striding up onto the porch. She hadn’t realized she was holding her breath until she felt it slowly expel when he settled against the railing opposite her, rather than in the swing beside her.
    â€œI’ve been looking for you,” he said.
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œJust looking for a friendly face.”
    â€œAnd you came looking for me?” she asked skeptically.
    â€œDarlin’, you’re too polite not to manage a friendly face for a business associate of your father’s. Besides, you want me to keep those kittens, don’t you? You’re not going to risk offending me.”
    â€œI’m sure Jenny—”
    â€œI’ve talked to Jenny. I’ve talked to everyone here. I’d rather just hang out here with you for a while, if you don’t mind.”
    â€œAnd if I do?”
    â€œThen I’ll leave.”
    Her gaze narrowed. “Would you really?”
    â€œAbsolutely.” He grinned. “But I’d be back.”
    Dani sighed wearily. “Don’t tell me you’re the kind of man who only wants what he can’t have.”
    â€œAre you saying you’re not interested?”
    â€œI believe I told you once today that I’m not available.”
    â€œBecause of that jerk you were cussing out when I turned up?”
    Oh, God, he had heard. “How much did you hear?” she asked, flushed with embarrassment.
    â€œEnough to know you’ve been badly burned, that you’re gun-shy.”
    She forced herself to meet his gaze evenly. “I’ve been around guns all my life. They don’t scare me.”
    â€œWas that meant to be a warning?”
    â€œJust stating a fact.”
    â€œDuly noted, then. Which brings us back to you and me.”
    â€œThere is no you and me,” she said impatiently. “Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.”
    He didn’t seem impressed by her declaration. “Bet I could change your mind,” he said.
    â€œYou’d lose.”
    His gaze locked with hers and made her tremble, proving his point. Hopefully, though, he hadn’t noticed.
    â€œWanna bet?” he said softly.
    Before she could guess what he intended, he’d clasped her hands and pulled her to her feet. In less time than it took to blink, she was in his arms and his lips were seeking hers.
    When his mouth settled gently over hers, she thought briefly about struggling, about directing a well-aimed blow into someplace that would prove just how serious she was about being left alone. The thought vanished before she could act on it, lost to a sea of sensations so sweet, so wildly erotic that her knees went weak and all she could do was cling.
    An aching need began to build