Seduction’s Canvas (Crimson Romance) by K.M. Jackson Read Free Book Online Page B

she had painted in a long time. Suddenly it wasn’t still — it had life.
    How was it that this man she didn’t know and didn’t care to know had gotten so deep into her psyche? Sam took him in as something prickled at her. Something that had been prickling ever since she first saw him all those months ago. She was pulled to him like some annoying far off memory and it bugged the hell out of her. She closed her eyes and rubbed at her temples.
    Faintly, she heard the girls chattering. “He is crazy hot, I wonder what he does?” Gabby was saying.
    Samara responded with a shrug.
    “Did you see how he handled that creep? I was just on my way over when he swooped in like wham!” Kara said.
    Sam shrugged her response to that too, but then Gabby put her hand over hers, forcing her attention. “Hey, are you okay?”
    Sam looked back toward the bar, instinctively seeking him out, but the space where he had been was now filled by a group of young women all in LBDs and FM pumps. He was gone.
    She turned to Gabby. “Yeah, I’m fine. You all about ready to call it a night? I’m beat.”
    • • •
    The summer night had turned cool and Samara now regretted for a second time the mini and backless top she was wearing as she stepped out of the club and a breeze ran across her bare spine.
    “Are you going to be okay getting home?” Lauren asked her.
    “I’m fine. You and Kara take this first cab since you guys have the furthest to go, heading to Brooklyn. Thanks for coming out.” She hugged Lauren and Kara and watched as they went off together.
    “Okay, you next,” Gabby said.
    “No, hon, you. I’m not that far, you have to go all the way uptown. Unless you want to stay with me tonight?”
    Her friend shook her head. “No thanks, work tomorrow. I can’t believe I stayed out as late as I did and talking to that loser no less. It took me way too much time to notice the imprint on his finger from where he had removed his wedding ring. I am seriously slipping. Talk about a wasted night.” She let out a long sigh and Samara gave her a sympathetic look, then a playful nudge.
    Sam went to the street and put a long leg out, quickly hailing her friend a cab. “Okay then, in you go.”
    Gabby raised a brow. “You are such a showoff, but at least you’re useful with those damned long assed legs.”
    “Oh, shut up and get in. As if yours are not plenty long. And don’t get me started on that ass of yours. If I only had half, I’d be golden.”
    “Please take it!” Gabby said playfully, giving her hip a slap.
    Sam leaned in, giving Gabby a squeeze. “Text me when you get home.”
    Samara had just raised a hand to hail a cab for herself when out of the corner of her eye she saw a familiar figure. It was the asshole from the bar — his hand was now wrapped and he was turning the corner toward the alley with another nefarious looking dude. They didn’t notice her, but seemed to be men on some sort of mission. Suddenly another chill went up Sam’s spine and it wasn’t from the temperature.
    Just go home, Sam. Just go home.
    Sam reached for the car handle and paused as the image of Mark doubled over from her punch came to her mind. “You coming, lady?” the driver asked.
    Sam looked back toward the alley, then over to the impatient eyes of the driver. “No, go on.” She leaned back up, stepping away from the cab. Then she headed toward the alley on tentative feet, now cursing her own impulsive instincts and her killer heels. But once there, the heels were quickly forgotten as her instincts kicked in again and she let out a primal scream.
    Thorn quickly turned, only momentarily surprised, and just in time blocked a blow from the asshole that was coming up behind him with some sort of metal pipe. He ducked down and punched him in the stomach, quickly doubling him over while simultaneously spinning out toward the other guy and knocking him out with a roundhouse kick. They both tried to come back at him, but Mark’s fists