Wild and Wonderful by Janet Dailey Read Free Book Online Page A

her, dangerously attractive in his dark evening clothes. "That was exactly my intention. Shall we go together?"
    The levelness of his gaze held a silent challenge. Alarm bells rang in her head, sending out dire warnings of the consequences in accepting. Glenna knew exactly what would happen if she took a moonlight stroll with this man. So did he. If she didn't want to know what it would be like in his arms, this was the time to say no.
    "Why not?" she agreed with an expressive lift of a shoulder and returned the directness of his look.
     

 
    Chapter Four
     
    OUTSIDE the briskness of the night air prompted Glenna to lift the silver shawl to cover the bareness of her shoulders and arms from the slight chill. The touch of coolness seemed to heighten her senses, making her keenly aware of the male figure walking a scant half step behind her.
    By silent consent Jett had allowed her to set the pace and the direction of their stroll. Glenna led him away from the stately white hotel onto the tree-shaded grounds. Once they had escaped the bright lights shining on the building, Glenna slowed her pace still more to wander beneath the trees.
    Overhead the cloudless sky was a patchwork of stars. A misty moon sent its beams to illuminate the lawn wherever the newly leafed trees failed to shade it. Nature's creatures were offering their night songs to the breezeless air.
    Glenna paused beneath a tree and leaned carefully against its rough trunk to gaze through vee openings of its branches at the sequin-studded sky. The shawl was hugged tightly around her, not in defense of the slight chill but to hold onto the enchantment of the scene.
    Unbidden, the opening lines of a song came to her mind. "Almost heaven," she unconsciously murmured them aloud. The sound of her voice echoed in her ears, stirring her to the realization that she had spoken her thoughts. Straightening from the tree trunk she glanced at Jett. He was watching her, his stance relaxed. "Do you remember the song 'Country Roads'?"
    "Mmm." It was an affirmative response.
    Glenna wandered to the edge of the shadow the tree cast in the moonlight. The ground beneath her feet was uneven so she moved carefully.
    "West Virginia is my idea of 'almost heaven,'" she explained softly while her gaze continued to admire the night sky and the soothing night sounds.
    "Is it?" Jett came up behind her, stopping at a point near her right shoulder. "The slogan on the license plate is a more apt description of West Virginia—wild and wonderful. Or is that your idea of 'almost heaven?'"
    She sent him a sidelong glance, angled slightly over her shoulder. "Perhaps. But I've never attempted to define it."
    His head inclined slightly toward her. "What's that perfume you're wearing? That fragrance has been tantalizing me all evening."
    Glenna wasn't prepared for the sudden switch of topics. Her mind raced to make the transition while her senses erupted with the intimation of his words.
    "It's a new scent by Chanel. I've forgotten the name of it." It didn't seem important as she half turned to answer him. Raw warmth spread through her in anticipation of his next move.
    Glenna wasn't disappointed as his hand found the curve of her neck to tip her head back while his mouth made a steady descent to her lips. His kiss was sensually sure and softly exploring, his mouth moving back and forth across her lips with deliberate ease. Reaching out, his hand clasped her waist and turned her the rest of the way around to bring her fully into his embrace.
    The warmth of his arms enfolded her, languidly heating her body with his. Under the masterful persuasion of his kiss resistance never entered her mind. The sensations he was creating within her were much too enjoyable to want them to end. This absence of force was seduction in its purest and most dangerous form.
    Her eyes were closed in dreamy contentment as his mouth wandered over her cheek to the lobe of her ear. The sliding caress of his hand along her neck