Savage Conquest Read Online Free

wits and poise, she
went to answer the summons. It was raining hard, and the night air was nippy and brisk.

    "Yes?" she asked shakily of the man whose back
was to the open door. Even though he was wearing a
rain slicker, Amanda could tell he was several inches
over six feet and powerfully built. She thought it odd
he was wearing a western hat over his coal black hair.
    He spoke in a stirring tone as he turned to face her.
"Would you please tell Joseph Lawrence that Reis
Harrison is here to see him?" he stated politely,
sweeping off his hat and running strong fingers
through his hat-ruffled hair.
    In the darkness, neither could make out the
features of the other. As the damp breeze teased at her
clothes and hair, Amanda invited the stranger inside
to deliver her depressing news. There was nothing
menacing in his stance or voice, and there were two
strong men inside the house who could offer their
protection. She closed the door and leaned her
forehead against it, summoning the strength to utter
words which ripped at her heart. She inhaled then
slowly released her breath.
    Reis sensed something was terribly wrong. He
waited patiently for the young woman to speak. As
he removed his rain slicker and tossed it over his right
arm, his eyes slipped from her silky head of blond
curls down her slender body, to return to where her
eyes would be once she faced him. When she did, her
words, "Joseph Lawrence is dead," temporarily went
unnoticed as his entranced senses hastily absorbed
every detail about her.
    Reis had heard the silly phrases "breath-taking"
and "heart-stopping," but in his thirty-two years no woman had ever made his breath catch or his heart
race. Now, without warning or preparation, he was
assailed by both sensations. The instant her pale blue
eyes fused with his rich blue ones, all wits and words
were lost to him. Like some foolish lad, he gaped at
her.

    Once Amanda's gaze met his, she was unaware of
anything except this vital man. Amanda had been
wooed by countless suitors, and she knew instinctively this man was special. What could be more
pleasurable, she imagined, than losing herself in his
arms?
    Amanda had not closed the door securely, and a
sudden gust of wind flung it against her back. She
jumped and gasped. Reis's hand shot over her
shoulder to press the door shut, bringing their bodies
into close contact, making each aware of the nearness
of the other. Reis's palm flattened against the door
and his arm rested lightly on her shoulder.
    Amanda could feel the warmth of his breath upon
her forehead. Never had she seen such handsome
features. He had startlingly blue, mesmeric eyes,
which flaunted a softness and sparkle that tugged at
her thudding heart. His lips were full and inviting;
his jawline was wide and his chin squared. If a man's
nose could be beautiful, his was. Such strength of
character was stamped upon his tanned face, and
when he smiled, his whole face lit up like a candle in
the darkness. His eyes and mouth had tiny creases
near their corners-the kinds of lines which implied
he was a man who loved life and was pleased with his
role in it.

    Without realizing she was inspecting him from
head to foot, she noted his clothes. Surely his
garments were specially tailored for that welldeveloped and well-toned physique. But why was he
wearing western attire? His snug shirt, black leather
vest, dark blue Levi jeans and black knee boots were
not the usual dress for men in this area.
    When Amanda realized she was leaning sideways
and examining him from ebony head to black boot,
she blushed in embarrassment, an uncommon
reaction for her. What was wrong with her? To cover
her lapse, she asked, "Who are you, sir?"
    Reis straightened, placing his wayward hand on
his hip. "Reis Harrison, Miss ... ," he replied
entreatingly. Reis was bemused by his novel loss of
self-control. Surely she was an angel sent to Earth to
warm his heart and soul. Her hair