To Tempt a Wilde by Kimberly Kaye Terry Read Free Book Online Page B

look.
    Now, as he stood in the middle of the corral, many of the men beginning to disperse and attend to their duties, their gazes locked.
    He ran his gaze over her deliberately as he walked toward her, sliding his eyes over her from the top of her head, where she was wearing her typical ponytail,over the thick bangs feathering across her wide forehead, down over the thick parka she wore and over her long legs encased in jeans.
    She took a step back, away from her position near the fence, and turned as though to go.
    â€œMs. Dayton, I need to have a word with you,” he called out before she could make good on her escape.
    She paused but kept her back to him. Her body was stiff, her back straightand head held high.
    For a moment he thought she’d defy him. That she’d pretend as though she hadn’t heard him speak.
    He jumped over the fence, walked closer and waited.
    After long moments she finally turned and faced him.
    Although she kept her face neutral, showing no trace of expression, in her dark eyes he saw a glimmer of fear mixed with an awareness of him, and something more. Somethingthat defied explanation.
    The same mix he’d seen the first time he’d met her in the stable. That same one that made his body tighten and harden to marble whenever he thought of her, was anywhere near her.
    The same one that made him to want to grab her, haul her hot little body close and kiss her until shewas senseless and neither one of them knew their own names.
    He inhaled, his nostrils flaring.He could smell her.
    He took several steps closer until he stood less than a foot away from her, glaring down at her, his mood darkening.
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    He stood so close Althea could smell his unique scent wash over her. She closed her eyes briefly, tried to get herself together, and reminded herself over and over in her mind that there was nothing he could do to her, there was nothing he could say or doto push her buttons.
    She shoved away the persistent images that had plagued her with irritating regularity of the way he could push her buttons. The hot, sweet, erotic ways she knew that he could.
    She opened her eyes and ran her gaze over him.
    She looked up the length of his long, long legs. The muscles in his thighs bulged as though fighting the confines of his jeans. She studiously avoidedglancing at the other bulge and continued her perusal up his body.
    He’d taken off his coat, despite the chilly weather, and was only wearing a soft chambray cotton shirt that molded the thick muscles of his chest. Slowly Althea raised her eyes to meet his. Although he’d placed the Stetson back on his head and his face was partially obscured, she felt the intensity of his unwavering, penetratingstare.
    She blamed the chilly wind for the way her nipples constricted against her bra and the slew of goose bumps that broke across her skin.
    When she’d watched him taming the stallion, herheart had pounded ruthlessly against her chest, her eyes glued to his every move. The way he approached and ultimately tamed the wild horse was nothing short of beautiful. Man and beast facing off, both determinedto conquer the other.
    As the others had shouted encouragement from the sidelines, Althea had been silent, her eyes glued to Nate’s big body as he refused to allow the large, muscular stallion to throw him.
    Riding the wildly bucking horse, his body jerked in every direction, yet his hold on the animal remained firm, the battle of wills one he was determined to win, until finally the horse hadbeen the one to give, the man the victor. A wide grin had split across his sensual mouth.
    And then his eyes had sought hers. The smile had dipped from his sensual mouth, but not the intensity of its effect on her.
    Althea shuddered at the memory.
    He stepped closer.
    At that moment, the wind picked up again. With it, his distinctive scent assaulted her, making her draw in a gasping breath. Itwas the type of smell that no cologne manufacturer could