Free CHRISTMAS AT THUNDER HORSE RANCH by Elle James Page A

through the door and stopped on the threshold. “I really wish you’d just drop me off and forget about this bodyguard gig.”
    Dante frowned. “Why are we arguing about it again? I thought we’d settled this. I’m going to stay with you for a few days. I promise not to get in your way.”
    How could he not get in her way? Dante Thunder Horse was larger than life and had given his heart to a dead woman.
    Emma had to remind herself that Dante wasn’t providing her protection to get closer to her. Why should he? He’d had perfection. Making love to Emma had probably been just something that had happened to keep them warm.
    Pushing all thoughts of sex with Dante to the back of her mind, Emma squared her shoulders and nodded. “You’re right. It’s only for a few days. Then you’ll be on your way home to your family and I’ll go back to my work as a professor.” Spending Christmas by herself as usual. How pathetic was that?
    Because her mother had died and she hadn’t spoken to her father since, she had no one. Christmas was one of those holidays she dreaded each year. This year would be no different.
    Dante threw his duffel bag into the back of his Jeep and opened the door for Emma. She slid past him, careful not to touch him and set off all those errant nerve endings that jumped anytime he was near. He might not see her as a potential sexual partner, but Emma’s body sure couldn’t forget her first time making love. The man had been amazing. Her foot slipped as she stepped up on the Jeep’s running board and she crashed back into Dante.
    His arms surrounded her and he crushed her to his chest.
    Emma’s heart thundered against her ribs. His arm crossed her chest beneath her breasts, one of his big hands covering her tummy. Even through her thick winter coat, she could feel his warmth.
    In that instant, in his arm, her thoughts scrambled. For a moment, she imagined him holding her because he wanted to, not because she’d practically thrown herself at him. Accidentally, of course.
    Once she had her feet under her, she tried to push out of his arms.
    “Steady there,” he said. “That running board can get slick in the icy weather.”
    Now he tells her . “I’m okay. I’ll be more careful next time.”
    “Oh, I didn’t mind. I just want to make sure you’re not hurt.”
    “Thanks.” As she scrambled into the Jeep, she felt his palm on her rear, making certain she didn’t fall back this time.
    Embarrassed by her clumsiness and her body’s instant reaction, she settled into the leather seat and turned her face away from Dante as he climbed into the driver’s seat. She gave him the directions to her apartment and sat in silence as he drove across town.
    She tried not to look his way, but she couldn’t help it. The man had the rugged profile of his ancestors, complete with chiseled cheekbones and a strong jaw.
    Several times he glanced into the rearview mirror, his brows furrowing.
    “What’s wrong?” Emma finally asked as they approached the street to her apartment complex. When they passed her turn, she swiveled in her seat. “You missed my turn.”
    “I can’t swear to it, but I think someone was following us.”
    Emma spun to look behind her. “In Grand Forks?”
    “I know it’s a small city by most standards, and there aren’t that many places for people to go, but the vehicle behind me has been on my tail since I left my apartment.” Dante relaxed. “Good, he turned off.” Dante sped up and turned at the next corner, going the long way around to circle back to her apartment complex.
    “It could be my imagination, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.” He pulled into the parking lot and parked the Jeep on the far side of a trash bin, out of visible range of the street.
    Emma thought he was taking his job as a bodyguard to the extreme, but didn’t say anything. This was Grand Forks, North Dakota, not Chicago or Houston.
    As soon as he put the Jeep in Park, Emma unbuckled her belt and