Trouble with the Law by Tatiana March Read Free Book Online Page B

sharpened into anger as she struggled with the lock on the front door, her trembling hands unable to cope with the simple task.
    When Sheriff Taylor didn’t reply, she threw him a quick glance over her shoulder. A frown marred his rugged features, making him look hard and implacable. She finally conquered the lock and shoved the door open. He said nothing as he placed his hand on the small of her back to propel her through, almost making her stumble as he urged her to move faster than her feet were prepared for.
    Justine came to a halt in the middle of the small hall that opened up to the living room. She tried to draw a calming breath. Her hand fisted around the keys until the sharp edges cut into her palm.
    Sheriff Taylor pushed the front door to a soundless close and turned to face her. He inspected her for a few seconds, his features void of expression. Then he reached out and pried the keys from her hand. Without looking, he dropped them on the narrow table lined up against the wall, his movements slow and deliberate.
    “I didn’t come here to sleep on a sofa,” he said softly. “I came here to make love to you again. We have no choice about that. Don’t make the situation any more difficult than it needs to be.” A frown skimmed over his features. “You seemed to enjoy it the last time, so what’s the problem now?”
    Justine kicked off her shoes, trying to find courage in the physical action. “Surely, there’s no need to actually have sex, as long as people believe that we are lovers,” she said, her voice brittle. She crouched down to line up her black high heels on the rack next to a red pair, dragging out the task in order to avoid rising up to face him. She couldn’t quite understand why she suddenly felt so frightened of repeating their intimacy, but the truth was that her heart hammered so hard it hurt in her chest, and she simply didn’t want to look at him.
    She was reaching out to adjust the shoes on the rack one more time when she heard a movement behind her.
    Rough hands slotted beneath her arms and yanked her to stand up. “If you are trying to play games with me, I’m warning you, I have no patience for female ploys.”
    Her head fell back as Mark gave her body an angry shake. She reluctantly raised her eyes to his, and froze as she saw the fury blazing in them.
    “I’m not playing games,” she told him in a strangled whisper. “Why are you so angry?”
    He stared at her, his fingers digging into the flesh on the side of her breasts as he gripped her tight. “All evening I’ve been on my best behavior to make this easy for you, and now you come up with some crap about not wanting to sleep with me again.” His face drew into a scowl. “Well, let me tell you this—there’s no point in locking the stable door once the horse has already bolted. You can’t convince me that you’re a bashful maiden protecting her virtue. I’ve had you trashing under me, taking everything I could give and begging for more.”
    Justine tried to squirm free, which only served to strengthen the way his big hands curled around her ribcage. “It’s different now,” she muttered. “That night was a folly. A slice out of time. Not the real me.”
    His angry expression softened. “I know this is a difficult situation, but you promised on the phone you’d help.” A muscle jerked on the side of his jaw. “I don’t think you really understand what’s at stake here. My job. My livelihood.” His eyes searched hers. “If there is an investigation, lying isn’t an option. I need to make love to you again, at least twice. Three is the lowest number that will allow me to state several times if the question comes up during a hearing.”
    “Twice?” Justine murmured. “If you are staying the weekend, perhaps we could wait until tomorrow?”
    “There’s no time for that,” he said gruffly. “I have other plans for tomorrow.” He stared down at her, then muttered an oath and lowered his head. Hauling