The Enemy's Son by Kristen James Read Free Book Online Page A

that one raised eyebrow, said more than any words he could have spoken. He boldly walked to her and took her hand, lightly holding her fingers. The gentle touch sent a physical reaction pumping though her.
    Suddenly he leaned closer and kissed her softly on the lips. It was a quick meeting that only allowed her to feel how soft and supple his lips felt. She searched his warm eyes, looking for the truth, but instead she found him searching her as well. And she saw need. Cora didn’t take a step back as they both expected, and he brushed his lips across hers again, then stepped closer, applying more pressure. She felt dizzy with delight when his mouth slightly parted.
    Push him away , she thought, but instead kissed him back. He made a sound like hmmm when she met his eagerness. He reached around her, pulling her into him, against his flat stomach.
    The contact ignited her desire. An ache started deep inside, racing up through her. Her body completely betrayed her and pressed into him, yearning and begging.
    “No!” She pushed back away from him and turned to run back toward the cabin.
     
    ***
     
    “Cora!” He let her go, unable to move yet. Kissing her left him shaking from the sudden and sharp physical need. And yet, she’d run from him.
    How could he protect her while falling with her? He couldn’t deny how afraid she must feel, but allowing himself to know it meant he used her fear, even if he was using it to get closer to her.
    Nick couldn’t back up his suspicions about Alexander’s intentions, and that put him in a static position, an unbearable position. He couldn’t make a move, not with Jerry Evans still somewhere out there on his impossible mission.
    He couldn’t help Jerry, couldn’t reveal Alexander’s personal agenda to Keith, and he wasn’t sure if he could ever win Cora’s trust.
    Alexander could be watching her right now. That thought was like cold water running all the way through him. He jumped to his feet and chased after her.

Six
     
    In the middle of the biggest crisis of her life, Cora was giving in to basic, physical need. She didn’t understand what was wrong with her. She couldn’t deny the electricity between them, but hormones meant nothing. Sexual attraction didn’t mean they could trust each other. The way he looked into her eyes didn’t mean he actually wanted to help her find her dad.
    “I will not fall for him!” The man, after all, could be using her emotions to trick her into staying here with him. She felt overwhelmed . . . she couldn’t trust herself while so emotionally involved.
    She rushed in the front door of the cabin and shut it firmly behind her.
    How could she help her father while stuck out in the middle of nowhere? Jerry risked his life just because the Holloways had her right where they could find her. She couldn’t stay here.
    Nick gave a heartfelt and earnest argument, but she couldn’t forget where he came from, who trained him. As a reporter, she needed to use her head, not just her heart. She had to listen to more than the ache growing in her for him.
    “Cora?” Nick called her name on the other side of the door.
    “I don’t know if I can talk to you right now.”
    Imagine if he looked at her and read everything in her mind.
    “Please, Cora, don’t turn your back on me. I want to help you. You’re stealing my heart.”
    Stealing? “I don’t steal, and neither does my father.”
    He didn’t answer right away. Her voice sounded icy cold, even to her. But she needed that, needed to push him away.
    “You’re right, bad word choice. Okay, starting over. I’m falling for you and there doesn’t seem to be anything I can do about it.”
    What if he really did feel something for her? So far he hadn’t done anything to back that up besides kiss her. But… but if he did feel something, she should be able to convince him to help her.
    She stepped away from the door to opened it and face him. “Prove you’re on my side. I want information and I