Rules of Entanglement by Gina L. Maxwell Read Free Book Online Page A

like he was preparing to draw his guns at high noon or ready himself for an epic takedown. Since he wasn’t wearing a hip holster with his cargo shorts, she assumed it to be the latter.
    She started to back up, one slow step at a time. But every time she stepped back, he stepped forward. “Jackson, I only returned the favor. We’re even now.” Another step back. Another step forward. “Come on, what’s fair is fair, right?” Another step. A quick glance to gauge the distance to the safety of the bar. Damn it. Too far. And he knew it.
    Mischief danced in his eyes, and the devil drew up the corners of his lips. The low rumble of his laughter made the tiny hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.
    “Jackson?”
    “Run, little rabbit,” he said. “Run.”
    Vanessa whispered a curse and spun around to make a break for the beach. An attempt that proved to be as futile as they’d both known it would be.
    No sooner had she made it five feet than he growled and swept her up, hoisting her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
    “Jackson Maris, you put me down right this instant!”
    She watched the beach get farther and farther away as he plodded through the foaming waves, carrying her into deeper water yet again. “Are you listening to me?” Frustrated that he didn’t have the decency to answer her, she did the first thing that came to mind…she slapped his ass as hard as she could.
    He stilled, his muscles tensing underneath her, making her instantly regret her action. “Did you just spank me?”
    “Umm…”
    With an effortless heft, he rearranged her in one fluid motion until he was cradling her in his arms so he could look her in the face. She kept her arms around his neck, since the chance of him suddenly dropping her was pretty high.
    “That’s the first time anyone’s dared try that,” he said, sounding amused.
    She didn’t doubt it. The image of this big, strong man getting spanked in any capacity was ludicrous enough to make her laugh, but she bit the inside of one cheek to hold it in. “Then you could probably use a little discipline.”
    “You think so, huh?” She nodded. He looked up at the clear sky as though giving it some thought, then shook his head. “I disagree. However…” Bending his head close to hers, he leveled her with a look that warmed her in places it shouldn’t. And when he spoke, his words were coated in carnal promises. “I can give you spankings that’ll have you begging for more.”
    Her breath caught in her throat as she lost herself to the picture in her mind. Tingling started from deep in her belly and spread to her extremities. He leaned in, so close they shared the same air. Oh, God, he was going to kiss her, and for the life of her, she couldn’t remember why it was a bad idea. Her fingers clenched behind his neck in anticipation.
    The moment before their lips touched, he paused and said, “I’d be happy to show you what I mean later. But you’ll have to ask me nicely.”
    Jackson couldn’t have shocked her any less if he’d slapped her in the face.
    He drew back with that shit-eating grin he wore so well. He’d known exactly what he was doing. She’d bet he never even intended on kissing her. The heat of desire previously curling through her body now burned in her veins, boiling her blood in preparation for battle.
    “Oh, you are so —”
    Apparently he didn’t care because he tossed her back over his shoulder. She squealed from the momentary weightless feeling, followed by an oof when her stomach landed on his shoulder. “Before you get all pompous on me again, princess, you should think about my offer.” He ran a finger over the outline of her bikini, making her aware for the first time just how close her backside was to his face. She felt his warm breath against her skin.
    “I promise you’ll like it, V.”
    If she hadn’t heard the smartass smile behind his offer she would’ve already plotted the demise of his family jewels. But he