Runaway by Bobbi Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

between the two men.
    “The meal was delicious,” Destiny offered as they finished the fancy chocolate dessert.
    “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
    “I did, too,” Raymond said.
    Bryce cast him a sidelong glance that let him know just how little he cared what Raymond thought.
    Raymond got the message and quickly added, “Well, if you will excuse me now, I have to be on my way. I have some other business to take care of this evening.”
    “Of course,” Bryce quickly agreed. He was more than happy to get the man out of his house so he could be alone with Destiny.
    Destiny had no desire to be with Raymond, but she was surprised that he would leave her there unchaperoned with Bryce. “I guess I must be going, too.”
    “No, Destiny, you can stay here with Bryce and visit a little longer. I’ll see you at home later,” Raymond ordered.
    Destiny was uneasy at the prospect but said nothing for the moment as Bryce got up and called for one of his servants.
    “Please see Mr. Howard out and make sure Miss Sterling and I aren’t disturbed for the rest of the evening.”
    “Yes, sir,” the maid answered.
    The two men bid each other good night, and the maid quickly ushered Raymond to the door. Once he was gone, Bryce turned his full attention back to Destiny.
    “Come, my dear,” Bryce invited. “Let’s go into the parlor. I’m eager to get to know you better.”
    Lila was pouring on the charm tonight, but Lane had managed to put her off. Dolly had approached him, too, and he thought she seemed almost desperate in her attempts to get him to bed her, but he’d stayed at the poker table, winning some hands and losing some. Hours had passed, but Lane had learned nothing new listening to the talk around him. He decided it was time to call it a night and left the saloon with a little more money in his pocket for his efforts.
    After he’d left the Tumbleweed, Lila went up to the bar to talk to Harold.
    “You didn’t have much luck with him tonight, did you, darling?” Harold teased her.
    “Not with him I didn’t. Let’s just hope his luck is as bad as mine when he’s trying to track Dan.”
    “Dan will be thanking you during his next trip through. I’ll see to it.”
    “Thanks, Harold.” She sighed wearily. “I think I’ll turn in.”
    Dolly came up to the bar to join them. “I think I will, too. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
    They bid her good night, and Dolly left the Tumbleweed in her usual way. Once she was certain no one was following or watching her, she slipped off into a back alley and made her way to the hotel. She hid in the shadows behind the building, staring up at the windows to try to figure out which room was the Ranger’s.

Chapter Five
    Destiny was feeling increasingly uncomfortable as she sat on the sofa in Bryce’s parlor, holding herself stiffly erect. She felt it was most inappropriate for her to be alone with a man she hardly knew, and she grew even more uncomfortable when he closed the hallway door behind them.
    “Destiny, my dear, I must say you look absolutely ravishing tonight,” Bryce said, trying to charm her. His gaze was openly hot upon her now that they were finally alone. Her fashionable gown was demure, but it only made him all the more determined to strip it from her. He wanted to bare those lush curves she was keeping hidden from him. “Would you care for a brandy?” he offered as he went to pour a snifter of brandy for himself.
    “Oh, no. No, thank you,” Destiny refused, trying to remember all the lessons her mother had given her about dealing with aggressive men. “It was nice of you to invite us over this evening.”
    “I’ve been looking forward to this moment for a long time,” Bryce assured her, returning to sit down beside her. He gazed at her over the rim of the snifter as he took a drink of the potent liquor.
    “Why is that?” Destiny felt he was sitting a bit too close to her, and he certainly had a strange look in his eyes, but, even so, she managed