Free The Unicorn's Tail (The Artifact Hunters) by A W. Exley Page A

the right word. "Big."
    He gave a snort of laughter. She probably didn't mean that the way he took it, though a certain part of his anatomy appreciated the compliment. "Hasn't dollface told you I'm all bark?"
    She didn't pull back; rather her attention remained fixed on her small hand in his much larger one. "She did mention something like that." She raised her eyes, a tiny smile dancing over her face. "But you are rather intimidating when you loom over a person, Mr Jackson."
    "Stop calling me Mr Jackson, it's Jackson to all around here."
    She mulled it over. The tiniest hint of mischief crept in to the smile. "Would you mind terribly if I called you Jack?"
    He gave a shrug and turned her hand to trace the vein in her wrist. "Why Jack?"
    "We used to have this fiendish brute of a dog called Jack. You remind me of him."
    He narrowed his gaze and met hers. A smile broke over her face. Minx had another reason, he'd lay money on it. Let's see where this goes.
    "Oh yeah? Let me guess, always won in the dog fights?"
    A giggle burst from her before she swallowed it down. "Not quite. He used to chase the chickens and make a terrible ruckus."
    "You think I'm a chicken chaser?" He growled. "I'll show you." He let her hand drop and lunged at her.
    She gave a squeal and ran. She ducked for cover behind the sofa. "I meant it as a compliment, Jack." She said between bursts of laughter. "No one harassed bantams quite like that Jack Russell, even though he only had three legs."
    "A bleedin' peg-leg Jack Russell?" He reached for her and she darted out of his way, running to the large divan.
    Her laughter came freely now and he loved the sound of it. Then she frowned. "I think he was quite blind too. My point is, for all the noise he was entirely harmless."
    "I'll show you who's harmless." He growled again and feinted left. She rushed the other way and ran straight into his arms. He spun so she had her back to the wall and caged her with his body and arms. Her chest rose and fell in heavy gasps as she laughed.
    Joy transformed her from the plain mouse to a captivating rose, her eyes full of life and humour and a faint blush to her skin. She was sunshine and honey and he ached to taste her. It felt so natural to have her in his arms he never wanted to let her go.
    He bent his head to the crook of her neck and inhaled. She stilled against him and when he looked up, her eyes were round and serious. He searched for any hint of alarm in her warm gaze. He never wanted to see fear in her face. He would chew off his own arm before he ever hurt her.
    "What are you doing?" she whispered. Her hands rested on his chest, but didn't push him away. Rather, her fingers curled around the lapel of his jacket, anchoring herself to him.
    "I'm a blind three-legged yappy dog, remember?" He dropped one hand to her waist. She wasn't very tall, but her clothes hid a lush form that curved in all the right places, and she was soft in a way that made a man hard. "Woof."
    She tilted her chin upward, partly because of the height difference, and partly because the kitten issued a challenge to the tiger. "No you're not. I was wrong, you're something quite different."
    "Oh yeah? What then?" He focused on those lips as they formed each word. If she tipped her head any higher he would claim that rosebud and have his taste. And win the bet and get to turn flyboy into a chicken. Then the blasted pirate would leave her alone and he would have her all to himself. A win-win-win situation as far as he was concerned.
    "I haven't decided yet." She raised one hand and cupped the side of his face, questions zooming through those so-expressive eyes. One finger traced the scar that ran down by his ear. "Things are not always what they seem."
    "No, they're not, princess," he said, taking her hand and kissing her fingertips.
    She inhaled sharply. Her bosom rounded with each breath and he leaned a little closer so it pressed against him. He dropped her hand and stroked her cheek.
    "Have you