Surviving Seduction by Maia Underwood Read Free Book Online

she muttered, turning her back to him and trying to mental y prepare herself for whatever he might say.
    She’d hoped to avoid this for the next several days, or even forever, but she’d failed miserably in the span of one evening.
    “You forgot this,” he announced, when he was close.
    “Thanks,” she answered in a careful y even tone. Her eyes flicked to his for a second, but the eager interest that she saw there made her blush again.
    When she quickly knelt down to fil the water skin, he did the same with his canteen. A moment of silence passed and to Selena’s dismay, Star turned around and began walking back to camp.
    Selena glared at the mare’s rear. It almost seemed like the animal was trying to cause mischief. She marveled at how much more exposed she felt now that she was truly alone with him. She hadn’t realized how much comfort Star brought her, which was sil y, considering that al their horses were trained to protect their riders.
    “You’re not with him, are you?” Jack inquired quietly, as though he already knew the answer.
    From the confidence in his voice, it was clear he found the question no more difficult than asking if it was going to rain. Selena marveled at how quickly he’d gotten to the point.
    “No.”
    She wasn’t going to lie, but she decided right then and there that she was not going to answer any further questions.
    “You have someone.” It was not a question.
    Selena didn’t like his presumptuousness, especial y because he was right and it was so personal. If he could figure out this much just by looking at her, what more information could he glean if she opened her mouth?
    When she remained silent, so did he, but the air felt thick.
    Selena was careful not to look like she was trying to rush, but when her skin was ful she closed it and stood, turning to go without ceremony. She hadn’t taken four steps when he spoke again.
    “God, it’s amazing. It’s like you haven’t the faintest idea.”
    When she stopped and turned to look at him, he was stil kneeling by the stream, but watching her with a gaze ful of obvious admiration.
    “I don’t know what you mean.”

    “I don’t know what you mean.”
    “You know what? In this very rare case, I’m inclined to believe you,” he answered pleasantly.
    Selena frowned as he stood. What is it with all his big words, she thought with vexation, wondering how he’d learned to talk the way he did.
    She could have walked away then, and wanted to.
    So why don’t I? Right away, she knew the answer. Her curiosity had gotten the better of her once again. She felt reasonably sure it would lead to her demise one day. With the world what it was, she knew it was an especial y dangerous weakness.
    Jack ambled toward her with a meaningful little smile.
    Her nervousness burgeoned as he approached and she wished she’d gone when she could have done so graceful y.
    Soon, Jack was standing before her, between her and camp, eyeing her appraisingly.
    “Selena,” he breathed, tilting his head down to draw her gaze to his intel igent blue eyes. They danced under the brim of his weather-beaten hat. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?”
    Suddenly, she had to struggle to keep a straight face, which surprised her, especial y since her cheeks felt so hot they almost hurt.
    “I’ve never seen anything like you,” he confided in deep, hushed tones.
    She looked away and chewed her lip, stil fighting not to smile and wondering if she was going crazy. Why did she suddenly feel so giddy? No one had ever spoken to her like this before. She didn’t know what to do, but he couldn’t be al owed to think she was interested in him. It would take more than feisty flirtations to woo her away from Dan.
    Before she could react, Jack had gently reached out and lifted her chin to make her look him in the eyes once more. She took a step back instinctively. He breathed through parted lips and squinted as if to see her better.
    “Look at you, the way