Free Montana Sky by Nora Roberts Page B

invitation.”
    “I’m not in the mood for company.”
    “I’ve never known you to be in the mood for company.” He tipped back the beer and drank deep. “I haven’t seen you since we were up in the high country. Thought I should let you know I didn’t find anything. Trail died out on me. I’d have to say whoever was up there knew his way around tracking.”
    She took a beer for herself, and since her feet were aching, dropped down beside Ben on the sofa. “Pickles thinks it was kids. Doped up and crazy.”
    “And you?”
    “I didn’t.” She moved a shoulder. “Now that sounds like the best explanation.”
    “Maybe. There’s not much use going back up. We’ve got the cattle down. Is your sister back from LA?”
    Willa stopped rolling her head to loosen her shoulders and frowned at him. “You’re awfully interested in Mercy business, McKinnon.”
    “That’s part of my job now.” He liked reminding her of it, just as he liked looking at her, with her hair falling out of her braid and her boots propped beside his. “Have you heard from her?”
    “She’ll be here tomorrow, so if that concludes your prying into my business, you can—”
    “Going to introduce me?” To please himself he reached out to toy with her hair. “Maybe I’ll take a shine to her and keep her occupied and out of your way for a while.”
    She knocked his hand aside, but he only brought it back. “Do women always fall at your feet?”
    “All but you, darling. And that’s just because I haven’tfound the right way to tip your balance.” He skimmed a fingertip down her cheek, watched her eyes narrow. “But I’m working on it. What about the other one?”
    “The other what?” Willa wanted to shift over a couple of inches, but she knew it would make her look like a fool.
    “The other sister.”
    “She’s around. Somewhere.”
    He smiled, slowly. “I’m making you nervous. Isn’t that interesting?”
    “Your ego needs pruning again.” But she started to rise. He stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
    “Well, well,” he murmured, feeling her vibrate under his hand. “It looks like I haven’t been paying close enough attention. Come here.”
    She concentrated on evening her breathing, slowly changed her grip on the beer she held. Oh, he looks so arrogant, she thought. So cocky. So sure I’ll melt if he bothers to push the right button.
    “You want me to come there,” she purred, watching his eyes widen slightly in surprise at the warm tone. “And what’ll happen if I do?”
    He might have called himself a fool—if there’d been any blood left in his head to allow him to think. But all he could do at that moment was feel the gradual simmer of lust set off by that husky voice.
    “I’d say it’s long past time we found out.” He curled his fingers into her shirt, tightened his grip, and pulled her against him. If his gaze hadn’t drifted down from hers to lock onto her mouth, he would have seen it coming. Instead he found himself an inch away from that mouth and soaked from the beer she dumped over his head.
    “You’re such a jerk, Ben.” Pleased with herself, she leaned forward to set the empty bottle on the table. “You think I could live on a ranch surrounded by randy men all my life and not see a move like that a mile off?”
    Slowly, he dragged a hand through his wet hair. “Guess not. But then again—”
    He moved fast. When she found herself trapped under him, Willa thought, even a snake rattles before he strikes.Now she could only be disgusted with herself for being pressed into the couch by a wiry male with blood in his eye.
    “You didn’t see that coming.” He handcuffed her wrists, hauled her arms over her head. Her face was flushed, but he didn’t think it was only temper. Temper didn’t make her tremble, didn’t put that sudden female awareness in her eyes. “Are you afraid to let me kiss you, Willa? Afraid you’ll like it?”
    Her heart was beating too fast, felt as though it