HisBootsUnderHerBed Read Online Free

didn’t raise her son to ignore a woman’s wishes, whether a lady or not.”
    For a long moment he stared down at her, and her pride made her hold the stare.
    “You’re right, Rory, she didn’t. So I’ll leave as you wish.”
    Transfixed, she watched the slow descent of his mouth toward hers and knew she should turn away. But she couldn’t. Call it helplessness, call it curiosity, or call it what it rightfully was—desire. From the moment their gazes had met in that barroom, she had thought about this kiss.
    She parted her lips.
    From the first touch of his lips, sweet sensation spiraled through her. The kiss was slow, exciting, and she responded with fervency she never suspected she was capable of. He broke the kiss only long enough for them to draw a much needed breath, and as he reclaimed her lips, her head and body swirled with aroused passion.
    She struggled for coherence under his drugging kisses when he swept her up in his arms and carried her to the bed.
    “Put me down,” she ordered.
    “My very thought, ma’am.” He laid her down, then unbuckled his gun belt.
    “No, you don’t understand,” she protested in a choking whisper.
    “Understand what?” He sat on the bed and pulled off a boot. It hit the floor with a thump.
    “You can’t do this.”
    “Oh, baby, you’ve got that wrong.” He leaned over and kissed the tip of her nose. “A little headache isn’t enough to stop me.”
    His other boot thumped to the floor, and he got up and pulled off her shoes. “Now let’s get that dress off you.”
    She slapped his hands away when he lowered himself to her and reached for the buttons of her dress. “Get off me, you big oaf! If you don’t listen to me, I’m going to scream,” she warned.
    “After last night it’s a little late for modesty, isn’t it?”
    “Nothing happened last night.”
    “Why are you whispering, honey?”
    “I don’t want to disturb my father. He’s in the next room.”
    He jerked up his head. “Your father is what?”
    “You awake, darlin’?” a voice called out from the adjoining room.
    “Yes, Pop, I’ll be right in as soon as I finish dressing.”
    Garth rolled off her with a groan. “I don’t believe this.” He began to pull on his boots as she scrambled off the bed.
    “Get out of here!” she hissed, arranging her disheveled hair.
    Within seconds he stood up and came over to her. “This isn’t the end between us, Rory. We have a debt to settle, and I’ll not say good-bye until we do.”
    “We have no debt to settle, Garth Fraser. Just be careful, and watch your back. And I hope someday you’ll find that treasure you’re seeking.”
    The excitement of his kiss still lingered, but she dared not give in to a yearning for more. She shoved his hat into his hands and closed the door.

    Garth intended to get back to the very enticing Miss Rory O’Grady as soon as he took care of his unfinished business with Bates and Skull. He had a pretty good idea where the shack of the lowdown scum was located.
    After several blocks, he was certain he recognized the shack and peered into the window. It was the same cabin, all right, but it was empty. He tried the door and found it unlocked, so he went inside. There were no clothes or packs, so he assumed they’d left town. Just to be certain, he checked at the livery and found out the two had never boarded horses there. He tried the stage office with the same results: neither one had left on the morning stage. He even inquired about them with the local sheriff, and got only a suspicious look in return.
    Could they still be in town? He decided to check out the saloons.
     
    Later that evening, Rory felt her heartbeat quicken when Garth came into the Grotto. She hadn’t seen a sign of him all day, and she had believed he’d taken her advice and left town.
    Mo poured him a drink. “Heard you had some trouble last night.”
    “Yeah. How did you hear about it?”
    “The sheriff,” Mo said. “He said you’re