Free Raven's Prey by Stephanie James (Jayne Ann Krentz) by Unknown Page A

had clamped such a tight lid on himself over the years? Did he fear the depths of his own passions?
    "Honor, if I were the mercenary you claim I am I'd have taken your initial offer of a bribe and then returned you to the States and collected my fee on top of it," he pointed out as they started walking once more.
    "As it is, you're going to collect the same amount without sacrificing any of your so-called business ethics, aren't you? Or were you planning on turning down the two thousand I'm offering for the two days you're spending here?"
    "It occurred to me that since I didn't swallow your little story this morning, you might withdraw your offer of the two grand," he retorted dryly.
    "What about you? Are you going to renege on your promise to spend the full two days here even though you have already decided not to believe me?" She tried to keep the anxiety out of her voice, but it was difficult. When she'd realized how hopeless it was going to be to convince him to believe her story she had immediately begun to wonder if he would grow impatient with the promise he had made. Two days wasn't much time but it was all she had.
    "I told you I'd spend the two days here and I will. I don't break my promises, Honor."
    For some reason Honor found herself believing him. He was a hard, cold man, she thought, but he was honorable in his own way. If only she could get him on her side! She had the distinct impression that, as an ally, Judd Raven would prove invaluable.
    During the next hour and a half most of the population of the village took turns sitting in the Cessna, listening intently while Judd explained the instruments and controls, and generally playing make-believe. Judd was right, Honor decided as she watched the children as well as the adults thoroughly enjoying the small treat. It would have been nice to have been able to give everyone a ride.
    It surprised her that he should even have mentioned the idea, though. Altruism didn't seem to have much place in the life of a loner like Judd Raven. The hour and a half spent guiding people through the plane wasn't easy on him, Honor realized. If she had been feeling in a more cheerful frame of mind she might even have found his controlled tension rather amusing.
    The Cessna, as she had guessed the previous evening, occupied a very important place in his life and every time one of the children touched the controls with an overeager hand or clambered over the seats she could almost see Judd wince in pain. But he hid his anxiety well and he didn't cut the time short for anyone, not even the youngest. Still, when everyone had had his or her chance to play pilot and the door to the Cessna was firmly locked again, Honor could see the relief in Judd's face.
    "Are you sure you don't want to sit in the pilot's seat, too?" he murmured as he double-checked the plane.
    "No, thanks. I hate small planes and this one especially."
    He cocked an eyebrow. "How about sitting in the pilot's lap, then?"
    Honor blinked, taken aback by the hint of teasing in his voice. "If that's another attempt at a heavy-handed pass, forget it. I'm not interested in going to bed with the man who's going to get me killed."
    He sobered at once, the faint trace of humor gone as if it had never been. "You are the most obstinate female I've ever met." He pocketed the keys and took her arm, following the rest of the crowd back into the village. "What would it take to make you quit playing this weird game, Honor?"
    "A little trust on your part might do the trick."
    "Can you blame me for being a bit short on trust? Your story is ludicrous, Honor. What I can't figure out is why you're sticking to it. The longer I know you the less I can buy the possibility that you're genuinely mentally ill."
    "Well, that's a step in the right direction* I suppose." She sighed. "Is it going to change anything, though?"
    "The fact that I'm more confused than ever by you? No, probably not in the long run." He hesitated and then said slowly, "But I