Sleight Of Hand Read Online Free Page A

she'd just given him
a compliment. "I shed that skin a long time ago. Your turn," he
continued. "New York. Why now?"
    She noted the stubborn set of his jaw and
wished she was the kind of person who could make up a lie on the
spot. Her brain wasn't that nimble, although she suspected Chance
could lie well enough for both of them.
    "I did feel homesick." When they turned on to
the main road, her courage grew as she noticed the lights from the
restaurant only a block and a half away. "Linda, my best friend got
married, and I...I don't know. She was so happy. It made me feel
like I'd missed something important along the way. I thought maybe
that something was family, so I came home."
    They stopped outside the restaurant. A
distant, pulsating, background sound broke the silence. She looked
up and down the street, but saw only a quiet little town closed up
tight, except for the restaurant. "What's that noise?"
    Without moving, Chance seemed to melt into
the shadows. "What sound? The people in the diner?"
    "No. It's further away, almost out of
reach."
    "Oh." His tension melted away, replaced by a
grin. "It's the ocean. Didn't you hear it at the cabin? It's about
a quarter of a mile through the woods from our back yard."
    She'd been so angry at him for telling
everyone they were married, she hadn't noticed much. Yet, here she
was, not an hour later, ready to play out the charade. How had that
happened?
    She tried to peer through the steamy front
window of the restaurant to see how many people were inside.
Suddenly nervous, she pulled her arm away from Chance and smoothed
her hand over her hair.
    "You're going to do fine in there." He
assured her. "Just stick by me and do what I tell you."
    She searched his face, wondering just how far
she dared trust him. They were here for two completely different
reasons, she reminded herself. Best not forget that.
    "One more thing." Chance took her left hand
and slipped a simple gold band over her third finger. "It's
official now."
    Before she could protest, Chance opened the
door to the restaurant. A roar erupted in the room. The small,
narrow diner was crowded with people, all on their feet, clapping
and hooting. Someone whistled sharply, another let out a
catcall.
    Chance put his arm around her shoulders and
tugged her against his side. Automatically, she tried to squirm
away, but his arm tightened and held her firmly in place. "Steady,
dear wife. These fine people want to welcome us, so smile."
    "Why didn't you tell me there'd be so many
people here?" she whispered out of the side of her mouth.
    He laughed. "Where's the fun in that?"
    "Hey, Chance, give her a buss," a rough voice
called from the back of the room.
    She looked at Chance. "A buss?" she
mouthed.
    His grin grew wider and, if possible, more
wicked, as he swung her around to face him. Without warning, he
bent forward and brushed his lips over hers. She sucked in her
breath, the sudden heat inside her in odd contrast to his cool,
firm lips.
    "A buss, dear wife," he whispered, "is better
shown than explained."

Chapter Two
    There was pleasure to be found in any job,
Chance mused, pulling a reluctant Sarah into his arms. And he was
not a man to deny himself.
    Her slender body fit against his perfectly.
Had he thought it wouldn't? He dragged the back of his hand down
her cheek and cupped her chin. Her mouth trembled while angry
sparks kindled in her eyes. A little sugar, a little spice. Oh
yeah, he planned to thoroughly enjoy this kiss.
    Then he tasted her. Mouth to mouth, lips to
lips, and yes, oh God, tongue to tongue, Chance dove into the kiss,
desire exploding in the pit of his stomach.
    He'd left himself wide open, thinking Sarah
had enough restraint for both of them, and now he was sinking, lost
in her scent, her feel. Her mouth tasted hot and moist, he hardened
and strained against the confines of his jeans.
    Sarah. He angled his head and dove deeper,
his world narrowing to her sweet, pliant mouth, to the brush of one
delicate