Turner's Vision Read Online Free Page A

he let himself sample what the inexperienced little lady offered him. From the first touch, he’d known just how deep her innocence ran. Gently, he eased her back, his lips tasting one last time her forbidden fruits.
    “Claudia?”
    “Yes, Micah?” She whispered his name.
    Watching her eyes slowly open, he let himself stare into the depths of their whiskey color. They intoxicated him a little more. Fighting off the urge to resume the kiss proved a bit difficult.
    He cupped her face in one hand.
    “How do you know Jonathan Gibson?”

CHAPTER THREE
    Micah’s words slowly seeped through the sensual fog surrounding Claudia’s mind. She struggled to pull her thoughts back to his question. The warmth of his chest beneath her hand, the wonderful feel of his hand slowly kneading the muscles of her back, the firm support of his thighs beneath her bottom where it rested on his lap, made the effort difficult.
    His lap?
    How had she ended up on his lap?
    She blinked once, twice. A roguish smile played upon his lips, his steel-grey eyes held amusement at her predicament.
    Claudia pushed against his chest. “Unhand me, sir !”
    His hand tightened. For a brief moment, she thought he meant to keep her trapped. Then he released her, laughing as she scrambled away.
    “How dare you take such liberties, Mr. Turner!” Indignation flooded her cheeks with heat.
    “I was only taking what was offered, ma’am.” He drawled in that low, Southern voice again. Leaning back in his chair, he crossed one leg over the other, once more the image of the manor lord.
    Claudia hurried over to the settee, settling into the furthest corner. “You…I…never offered…on your lap!”
    “You most certainly did. Your little game was most intriguing. I’m sure many men have wanted to taste the luscious fruits you offered. I simply indulged myself.”
    “I have never offered fruits or anything else to a man!” She shot up out of her seat, both hands clenched at her side.
    “Sit.” The quiet order stilled her tirade before it could begin. Claudia opened, then closed her mouth. The look on his face suggested she obey for the moment. As gracefully as she could, she perched on the settee’s corner once more.
    “Now, madam, if you are done playing the wanton, perhaps you and I can discuss the situation we find ourselves in.” He lifted an eyebrow at her, waiting for her reply.
    “What do you mean, playing the wanton?” She tried to think like the scatterbrain once more, even though she sensed he no longer believed her act.
    “Please do not insult my intelligence any further, madam. I admit your disguises are quite intriguing and rather diverse. The spinster leaving the library this afternoon was extremely off-putting. The crone tonight completely fooled me. Except for the scent of spring flowers both women wore, I never would have suspected they were you.”
    Claudia blushed at his praise.
    “Even tonight’s little inane flirt was something of a masterpiece. The costume caught me slightly off-guard.” He paused, letting his gaze roam over her from head to toe. “But however tempting the vision you have offered me tonight, I am weary and no longer care to play the audience for your little drama. I wish to speak with the woman who had the foresight to send Laura to Colorado to save her from a murderer. We need to have a serious discussion on the problem at hand.”
    He’d seen two of her other characters tonight. No wonder the flirt didn’t have the desired effect on him she’d hoped for. Not trusting her voice or her temper, Claudia simply nodded.
    “Good. Let me tell you a little about what brought me here tonight.”
    “I thought you came to deliver Laura’s letter.” Could he be here for some other, more sinister purpose? Perhaps she had given in a little too easily?
    “Yes, I did. However, that is only part of my reason for coming east to Washington. You see, Claudia, I am in search of a young woman who is very dear to