Untamed by Nora Roberts Read Free Book Online Page A

tiger is more bloodthirsty, but it normally strikes only once. If it misses, it takes it philosophically. A lion charges again and again. Do you know the line Byron wrote about a tiger’s spring? ‘Deadly, quick and crushing.’” Jo had completely forgotten her animosity and began to enjoy her walk and conversation with this handsome stranger. “It’s a true description, but a lion is totally fearless when he charges, and stubborn. He’s not the razzle-dazzle fighter the tiger is, just accurate. I’d bet on a lion against a tiger any day. And a man simply hasn’t a prayer against one.”
    â€œThen how do you manage to stay in one piece?”
    The calliope music was just a hint in the air now. Jo turned, noting with surprise that they had walked a good distance from camp. She could see the trailers and tents, hear occasional shouts and laughter, but she felt oddly separated from it all. She sat down cross-legged on the grass and plucked a blade. “I’m smarter than they are. At least I make them think so. And I dominate them, partly by a force of will. In training, you have to develop a rapport, a mutual respect, and if you’re lucky, a certain affection. But you can’t trust them to the point where you grow careless. And above all,” she added, glancing over as he sat down beside her, “you have to remember the basic rule of poker. Bluff.” Jo grinned, leaning back on her elbows. “Do you play poker?”
    â€œI’ve been known to.” Her hair trailed out along the grass, and he lifted a strand. “Do you?”
    â€œSometimes. My assistant handler, Pete . . .” Jo scanned the back yard, then smiled and pointed. “There he is, by the second trailer, sitting with Mac Stevenson, the one with the fielder’s cap. Pete organizes a game now and then.”
    â€œWho’s the little girl on stilts?”
    â€œThat’s Mac’s youngest, Katie. She wants to walk on them in the street parade. She’s getting pretty good. There’s Jamie,” she said, then laughed as he did a pratfall and landed at Katie’s wooden stilts.
    â€œRose’s Jamie?” Keane asked, watching the impromptu show in the back yard.
    â€œIf she has her way. He’s currently dazzled by Carmen Gribalti. Carmen won’t give Jamie the time of day. She bats her lashes at Vito, the wire walker. He bats his at everyone.”
    â€œA complicated state of affairs,” Keane commented. He twisted Jo’s hair around his fingers. “Romance seems to be very popular in circus life.”
    â€œFrom what I read,” she countered, “it’s popular everywhere.”
    â€œWho dazzles you, Jovilette?” He gave her hair a tug to bring her face around to his.
    Jo hadn’t realized he was so close. She need do no more than sway for her mouth to touch his. Her eyes measured his while she waited for her pulse to calm. It was odd, she thought, that he had such an effect on her. With sudden clarity, she could smell the grass, a clean, sweet scent, and feel the sun. The sounds of the circus were muted in the background. She could hear birds call out with an occasional high-pitched trill. She remembered the taste of his mouth and wondered if it would be the same.
    â€œI’ve been too busy to be dazzled,” she replied. Her voice was steady, but her eyes were curious.
    For the first time, Jo truly
wanted
to be kissed by a man. She wanted to feel again what she had felt the night before. She wanted to be held, not lightly as he had held her before, but close, with his arms tight around her. She wanted to renew the feeling of weightlessness. She had never experienced a strong physical desire, and for a moment she explored the sensation. There was a quiver in her stomach which was both pleasant and disturbing. Throughout her silent contemplations Keane watched her, intrigued by the intensity of her