In Safe Arms Read Online Free

ties bit into her wrists, cramped muscles screaming in protest at the sudden movement. He set her down in what was obviously a garage, one large hand wrapped around her upper arm, holding her steady.
    ‘Stand there, until you’ve got your legs back.’
    He made no attempt to switch on a light and Josie blinked in the gloom, willing the feeling and strength to return to her limbs. Iron shelving lined the wall nearest them, and beside the ute, a car cover obscured a second vehicle. On the front wall, metal brackets held a variety of sporting equipment, skis, poles, and what looked like ropes and harnesses used for abseiling.
    Calm down, Jos. Lead with your best foot .
    After a while, he let her go and leaned inside the ute. He dragged out the black tee-shirt, donning it in one economic movement. Then he leaned in again and brought out her things.
    ‘This way.’ He pointed towards the front of the garage, indicating she precede him, and Josie took a tentative first step, conscious of him close behind. She took her time, careful not to stumble in the dark. She’d have no way of breaking her fall if she tripped.
    Musty air filled her nostrils, and she opened and closed her hands, stretching out her fingers in an effort to eradicate the numbness. If Nate removed the plastic ties, she’d need to use both hands in any bid for escape.
    Then her fingertips brushed his leather pants. Right there .
    Oh God!
    She jerked her hands away, cringing in the excruciating silence that followed.
    SHIT!
    When he spoke, Nate’s voice was an amused drawl in the dark. ‘Forward as ever, I see.’
    Heat flashed deep within Josie’s body, spiralling upwards until her face and scalp burned. Typical of him. He couldn’t pass up the opportunity to remind her of her drunken offer to hook up that night.
    ‘Don’t flatter yourself, bikie, I was wearing beer goggles. You’re a sober five and a drunk nine on anyone’s scale.’
    Seconds of ominous silence slipped by, and Josie held her breath. Oh God! Why can’t you just play smart and hold your tongue?
    A vibration tickled her shoulder blades, a warm rumble breaking free from deep within his chest.
    The bastard was laughing at her.
    Vowing to stay silent, Josie continued on, halting when she reached a sturdy looking fire door. Spine stiff, she stepped aside, letting him draw level so he could unlock the door. He was bigger than she remembered — and built. He had at least a foot on her in height, and shoulders broad enough to block out her entire line of vision.
    He entered a series of numbers into a control panel, the alarm disengaging with a high pitched beep. Then they were in a white tiled entrance hall, the silence punctuated by the snick of the door closing behind them.
    Nate cocked his head. ‘You first.’
    The room was a shade lighter than the garage, and the rubber soles of her Doc Martens squeaked on the tiles as she walked. On the far side, she reached a carpeted landing and stood looking around at the shadowy interior of a home. Two steps led to a large sunken living room, its exposed brick walls and high-raked ceilings reminiscent of a mountain cabin or ski lodge.
    ‘Where are we?’
    He didn’t answer, just reached under the leg of his pants to draw a revolver from a holster strapped to his calf.
    Alarm bells rang in Josie’s ears, her gaze following his every movement as her heart gave one big thump. She screamed, lashed out with her foot and kicked him hard in the shin.
    He gave a loud groan. ‘ What the hell are you doing?’
    She backed away, fear sending her voice an octave higher. ‘You pulled a gun on me.’
    He tipped back his head, closed his eyes and grimaced at the ceiling. ‘I’d have shot you by now if that was the plan, not that I’d mess up the rug.’
    He turned on his heel and strode away, seemed to think better of it, and came back. ‘I was going to undo the ties, but they can bloody well stay there now.’
    Black clothing merging with the shadows, he