Pure Desire [Pure 3] (Siren Publishing Allure) by Carolina Barbour Read Free Book Online Page B

head to toe.
    Channing motioned for two whiskey shots. “Sheriff Jacob likes to keep a tight rein on strangers in town.”
    Noor completely understood where the sheriff was coming from and didn’t take offense. Sanguine was a major hub for narcotic transporters. For this reason, each visitor had a retinal scan when importing and exporting. If the person didn’t already register a identification profile, their data was uploaded to the Interplanetary Security Database and an intrusive background check was run. If anything suspicious displayed, the authorities detained the person for further investigation. He understood the sheriff’s inquiries and his technique. T he sheriff was checking his credentials the old-fashioned way.
    Law officials had an innate knack for catching someone in a lie. Not making eye contact, body language, or a tone could give a criminal away.
    He would answer his questions but keep it simple. “I’m afraid my father thought sending me to Texas to purchase land and cattle would keep me occupied and dissuade my wayward youthful antics, which had become a strain on the polite society of the city.”
    “I don’t want no trouble, son.” The sheriff’s point was clear. He motioned to Channing and said, “Your mother has sent your father into town three times looking for you. She’s beside herself with worry, just so you know.” His comment was an underhanded way of chastising Channing for worrying his mother.
    Channing swallowed his drink and called for two more shots. He sipped, studying the occupants over the rim of his glass. “Duly noted, sheriff. I don’t intend to stay in town tonight. I just came by to inform you about Harland. He was stupid but deserves a decent burial.”
    “Uh-huh. I will send Haskell out to Matt’s ranch to tell him about Harland, and he can go and get his son. When can I expect you to be on your way?”
    The sheriff was not subtle. When he saw the gunslinger start forward, he understood why. He noticed Channing paid attention to the man but didn’t seem concerned.
    “Long enough to have a few drinks and entertain myself,” Channing said, grinning.
    Noor watched Channing shift his attention to a petite brown-haired woman who was standing off in the corner. She was attractive, all smiles, and clearly interested in Channing’s attention.
    “Now, if you will excuse me, Sheriff Jacob, I believe Mattie is waiting.” Channing finished his drink and started toward the girl. He wrapped his arm around her waist and whispered something in her ear making the girl giggle before he headed toward the stairwell.
    Channing paused and called over his shoulder to Noor. “She has a friend,” he said, and then turned his back.
    A small pixie-looking girl with large blue eyes, red hair, and a curvy figure came toward him. He stayed focused on the gentle sway of her hips, accentuated in the form-fitting red and black satin corset gown she wore.
    She smiled at him, and he wondered how old she was. He was in another time and place that didn’t have a law against mingling with girls he thought were too young to be in her profession, but he didn’t care to fuck some teenager, legal or not.
    The girl stopped in front of him, put her hands on her hips, and licked her lips. He reacted like a horny goat. She was a dish, but again his reservations about having sex with a minor surfaced and eased the throbbing between his thighs. That and he wondered if he could potentially be about to have sex with the future Empress of Oridus.
    It was at the forefront of his mind when the girl advanced on him, slid her body against his, and leaned in to take a sip of his drink. She wet her lips, ogled him suggestively. He had to contain himself from tossing her over his shoulder and bounding upstairs.
    “How old are you?”
    The girl gave him a coy smile. “I’ve been told old enough, mister.”
    Noor studied her a moment, trying to decide what to do. He reasoned out matters inside his head. If he