Reckless Heart by Barbara McMahon Read Free Book Online Page A

don’t think you can manage.”
    “I’m sure I can manage.” Her tone was haughty, her eyes still flashed anger.
    “I’m sure you can.”
    His gentle tone grated. Dropping her gaze, she watched his lips move as he talked, and again wondered how they would feel against her own.
    She had been kissed by different men and boys numerous times since high school. All the romance books she read made kisses sound like a most wonderful experience. She'd enjoyed kissing, but hadn't thought it was the most wonderful thing. Would Josh’s kisses rock her world?
    He'd shaved that morning and his cheeks looked smooth and warm. If he kissed her, would she feel more of his face against her own than just his lips? Would his arms encircle her to pull—
    “Molly!”
    She jumped. “What?”
    He put a gentle fist beneath her jaw and raised her face until she met his gaze. His eyes narrowed as he stared down at her in displeasure, his expression serious.
    “Do you need to go back to bed?”
    To bed? With Josh?
    She blinked again and tried to dispel the image his words evoked.
    “Why would I need to go to bed?” Was he propositioning her? She had to refuse. Didn’t she?
    He groaned softly and his fist opened. His hand cupped her chin and the pad of his thumb traced the soft skin covering her jaw.
    Molly shivered. She liked his touch. Her skin transmitted the sensuous sensations throughout her entire body and shimmering tingles of awareness rushed through. She had never felt like this before. Could she capture this feeling in her book, too?
    “Molly, you look at me like I’m a long-awaited Christmas present. If you’re making a play for me, forget it. I’m not interested. If this is research for your damn book, find someone else to practice on.”
    She jerked her head away and stepped back, embarrassment flooding her. “You told me to leave your employees alone.”
    “More importantly, leave me alone.”
    “I didn’t do anything,” she protested, knowing her imagination had been in full force but he couldn’t know that.
    “I guess not.”
    He straightened, slapped his hat against his thigh again and looked around the room, as if surprised to find himself there. “I came in to do paperwork. You need to tell me how much the pizzas cost. I’ll reimburse you.”
    “No need. It is the least I can do after making such a mess of things yesterday.”
    “You don’t need to buy us food.”
    “I don’t mind.”
    “Molly, I pay for the food on the Rafter C.”
    “All right! The receipt's in my purse, I’ll get it when I finish cleaning here.”
    “Fine. I have some laundry that needs doing, too.”
    “Of course, I’m here to serve,” she muttered, feeling out of sorts. She needed to be alone to bring her rioting imagination under control.
    “Just so you remember.”
    “What?”
    “That you’re here to serve. Not to go off on some writing tangent any time you feel the urge.”
    Writing wasn’t the urge she felt right now. Hitting him over the head with a vase came close.
    She tossed her hair and moved past him. “I know what I’m here for, and don’t think I won’t do the best job you’ve ever seen.”
    “You have a way to go to prove that to me,” he mumbled, slamming his hat on his head and striding across the hall to the office.
    Molly acknowledged he had a point. So far her performance hadn't been very good. But she knew more now and wouldn’t make the same mistakes twice.
    She ran upstairs. While she cleaned the downstairs, she’d pop his things into the washer. Hesitating only a moment, she pushed open the door to his room. Glancing around curiously, Molly studied the masculine clutter. Clothes were piled haphazardly around. The bed, rumpled and unmade, drew her attention. For a moment, she imagined Josh stretched out on the dark sheets, a golden warrior resting before the next battle. Sunlight bright and bold bathed the room in clear light.
    She moved to the piles of clothes and began to sort them for the