Runaway by Heather Graham Read Free Book Online Page A

until he swept her there. His hand lifted from her mouth. She could feel his body heat, the rise and fall of his chest, the vital tension of the man. Heturned her around. She saw a glistening reflection in his eyes and the flash of his teeth reflected by what dim moonlight combated the darkness. She could scarcely breathe. A trembling raced through her as he held her, staring demandingly into her eyes.
    “Who are they?” he barked sharply.
    Her eyes widened. McKenzie had been right behind her all along. He’d seen the men—and he’d seen her panic because of them. “I don’t know—” she lied.
    “The men following you. Who are they?”
    “I don’t know!”
    “The hell you don’t, and why the hell did you run from
me?
” he demanded curtly.
    “I thought that you would force me.”
    “I wouldn’t think of forcing a whore.”
    “But I’m not—”
    He sighed with aggravation. “I didn’t intend to force you into anything—no matter what you are or aren’t! I was going to try to give you a decent dinner and some breathing space before letting you go back to that rat hole, if that was your choice.”
    “You could have just said so—” she began furiously.
    “But now you can’t go back there, can you?” he interrupted.
    She clenched down hard on her teeth. “No,” she said flatly. “I can’t go back.” He was so close. She could feel his warmth and the fine texture of his coat brushing her hands. He smelled good, clean like soap with just a touch of cologne, whiskey and leather mingling in. He was not just the most intriguing man she’d ever seen, he also seemed to be the most powerful. And perhaps the hardest, she thought. He expected answers, he set his hands upon what he wanted, and took it. His black eyes demanded everything. And yet …
    He could be merciful, she thought.
    When mercy was warranted. He was probably also capable of being entirely ruthless when mercy was not warranted. Just how would he see her situation?
    It didn’t matter. The past was over, and it was hers alone. She would never tell him.…
    “Why?” he demanded.
    She shook her head. In the darkness his head cocked. He was studying her. She was certain that he could see her in the night far better than she could see him. He knew the darkness, he was accustomed to it and comfortable with it.
    She closed her eyes briefly. She was certain that she was safe at the moment too. He was very tall, very strong, and quick as a whip, she had seen that. She was certainly blocked from view by his height and the breadth of his shoulders.
    But now what? What when he walked away? Would she be seen, chased, caught?
    “Why are those men after you?” he demanded again.
    She shook her head wildly. She had to run and keep on running. McKenzie was pinning her here and the two men after her were coming closer and closer.
    “You tell me the truth about yourself, about what’s going on. I’ll help you.”
    “I’m not telling you anything—I can’t!” she said quickly. Oh, God, she was running out of choices! He hadn’t been going to force her into anything. She wasn’t worth three hundred dollars to him, he really hadn’t given a damn about the money. So what did she do now? Bargain with him to help her? Offer him what? Herself? He’d already had that opportunity!
    One thing was certain. She couldn’t tell him the truth.
    He leaned back. She could just see the searing light in his eyes, the hard planes of his face. He lifted his hands,palms upward, and shrugged. “Talk to me. Or else you’re on your own!” he warned her softly. “I can’t protect you when I don’t know what the damned danger is!”
    Beyond the haven of their slim alley, from along the dock, they could hear the approach of footsteps, the sound of shouts. The men were coming closer and closer.
    “Come on!” he urged her in a vehement whisper. “Why do they want you so badly?”
    “I can’t tell you!” she cried.
    He smiled, leaning against the wall