Tangled Hearts by Barbara McMahon Read Free Book Online Page A

excitement that being near Jake brought.
    Finally, unable to concentrate, she dismissed the class ten minutes early. From the eager sounds from the students, she'd made their day.
    Slowly the lecture hall emptied until only Jake and Brianna remained. She busied herself stacking the assignments that had been turned in and erasing the blackboard. Aware that Jake remained leaning against that back wall, studying her, she did her best to ignore him.
    When the last student vanished, Jake pushed away from the wall and walked down the side of the room, his step measured and soft. Brianna was resigned to watch him approach, her heart beating double time.
    His dark eyes almost shot flames as they narrowed in on hers and held them captive. A muscle in his cheek jumped as he clenched his teeth. His broad shoulders were displayed to advantage in the dark sweater. The black cords encased long, muscular legs.
    Her gaze dropped to his lips. Involuntarily she licked her own, wanting to feel his against hers one more time. How many one-more-times were there in life?
    Never enough, she was sure.
    He stopped close to her, so close she could feel his body heat brush against her own, could see the thick lashes that framed his dark eyes, could smell the tangy masculine scent that was his alone. The scent that she would recognize anywhere, anytime. Something melted deep within her and she took a step closer.
    She was like a moth attracted to flame. She knew she'd get burned, but she couldn’t help herself. She had to touch that heat.
    “You’re in big trouble, little lady,” he growled.
    Exhilaration spread to every cell in her body as his rough voice caressed her senses. Challenged, she flashed a haughty look and poked his chest with her forefinger.
    “I’m not a little lady. I’m five foot nine.”
    He captured the finger and drew it to his mouth. Nipping it gently, he soothed the tip with his tongue. Brianna’s legs grew wobbly. Slowly she inched closer to brace herself against his greater strength.
    “From six-five you’re not so big.” He planted a hot, damp kiss in the palm of her hand, his fingers lacing with hers as he let their hands drop. Bringing them up behind her, he urged her the last few inches until her breasts pressed against his chest, her belly snuggled against his, her thighs felt the strength of his.
    “But definitely a lady.” Leaning over, he brushed his lips light against hers.
    “Jake, you can’t just come into my classroom like this and disrupt everything.”
    “Excuse me, Teacher, but I merely walked in and stood in the rear. I never said a word.” His free hand wandered up to encircle her neck, his fingers gentle against her nape. His other arched her more firmly against him, holding her a willing captive.
    “I…”
    It was true. He'd done nothing but show up. All the disruption had been caused by her own reaction to seeing him.
    She was having trouble thinking. Pressed up against him so intimately, she was having trouble even breathing, let alone coming up with the fortitude to push him away.
    His hand tilted her jaw, exposing her throat. With a soft groan, he lowered his mouth to that silky skin, kissing her, licking her, blowing gently on the damp skin. He was seducing her in her own classroom!
    Brianna shivered and shifted even closer, her free hand surrounding his waist, slipping beneath his sweater to press against his hot skin. Her breasts tingled with desire; heat pooled deep within her. Her legs remained wobbly, unable to support her weight.
    “Why didn’t you call me last night?” he asked.
    She blinked, tried to back away, but was caught fast by his arm.
    “I told you to call me if anything happened. How do you think I felt hearing from Don this morning that there’d been another break-in? And this one happened when you were there!”
    “There’s no need for you to get involved.”
    Disappointment raged through her. Had he only come because of last night’s attempted break-in, out of