Free Unexpected by Lietha Wards Page B

one else could come in. Butch took his time walking down the aisle where she was. She was wearing a pale green walking gown like the one she wore today and like today, she was stunning. She didn’t even hear him come up behind her until he spoke and she jumped dropping whatever she was holding. She spun around wide eyed.  Then her eyes narrowed and he felt heat rising in groin just from the challenge she presented.
    “Hello Miss Hamilton,” he said deeply.
    “Get away from me, ” she seethed and turned to leave, but his arm shot out bracing against the wall beside her head and trapped her in place.  She knew he was bold, but didn’t think he’d take it this far.  It just proved to her how arrogant and untouchable he thought he was.
    She was right.  Butch was arrogant and was really pleased with himself over her reaction to him. He saw the fear in her lovely eyes and toyed with her for just that reason.  It turned him on more. “After all the trouble I’ve gone through to get you alone.  I don’t think so.”
    Her eyes went to his face and held his gaze before they narrowed into a glare.  Yet he knew it was a display to hide the fear she refused to allow him to see, but he caught it.  Even if he didn’t see it, he knew she was afraid, because everyone was afraid of him.
    There were men as tough as rawhide that couldn’t look him in the eye, yet she could.  It was something that brought out a challenge in him.  It also turned him on. He was going to love making her submissive. His other hand came up and caressed a lock of her hair momentarily drawing his attention.  It was like fine imported silk.  The color itself was desirable.  Most men liked blondes, but not Butch.  He liked the dark brownish-auburn on a woman, especially a woman with vibrant blue eyes the likes of hers.  Eyes that had fire in them.  He knew she’d be passionate and would fight him every step of the way, but he would have her.  There wasn’t even doubt in his mind.  He leaned toward her, hovering his cheek next to hers, tipping his head slightly and inhaling her scent.  Pure as virgin snow .  He almost sighed out loud at the shudder of pleasure that went through him at that thought.
    When he locked gazes with her again there was no fear this time, just defiance in her eyes. He almost smiled.  She definitely didn’t like being touched. Now he was hard with wanting her.  Oh, how he was going to love taming this wildcat. 
    Then he heard it. 
    It was the subtle click of a gun cocking, and sure enough, he felt the cold steel barrel of a derringer under his chin.
    “I know these don’t cause much in the way of death, Butch, but I do know they make a hell of a mess. And everyone knows how much you love the way you look. Release me.” A small smile appeared on her face to let him know that she’d follow through on her threat.  She was glad that her lip didn’t tremble because the rest of her felt like it was.
    He might have believed her if he didn’t feel her hand quiver through the barrel. However, this wasn’t the time or the place.  He just wanted to put some fear into her, and he was successful. He dropped his arms. “I will have you Josie.  I’m going to be inside you whether you want it or not.” He’d meant to shock her and it worked. Her hand trembled more, but her expression gave nothing away. “You can make this easy on us—or difficult.  It makes no difference to me.”
    “The day you touch me, is the day hell freezes over.” She seethed stepping quickly sideways out of his reach.  “I’ll be a corpse before I let your filthy hands near me.”
    He shrugged. “I am going to love to hear you scream my name, love. Your threats mean nothing.”
    She started backing toward the door.
    “Ryker can’t protect you forever.”
    “I don’t need Ryker.” She lowered her aim to his crotch.  Even though she trembled with fear she managed to force a cynical smile.  “I can look after