Free The Case of the Missing Secretary by Diana Palmer Page A

could bear, he wrapped his arms around her and all but crushed her, groaning into her mouth as he felt her shiver.
    He was breathing raggedly and his legs were unsteady, as was her whole, soft body. He wanted her. There was a barn nearby, but it was full of kids. There was a house behind them, but it was full of adults. The ground was hard and cold, and very public. He cursed under his breath in anguish and his big body shuddered in response to her need. He drew back, his face hard with passion and frustration.
    Kit looked up at him, blazing with needs she hadn’t even known existed. Her legs almost went out from under her, her body throbbed so with unsatisfied desire. “I hate you!” she said, choking. She hit his chest, hard, once, twice, shaking with what she supposed was rage at his presumption and his teasing.
    “Here, it’s all right,” he whispered. His arms enveloped her leaving a little space between their bodies as he comforted stroked her hair and whispered words of soft reassurance.
     
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    Tears ran down her cheeks as she struggled for composure. He felt a tremor in his own body. It had been a near thing. Imagine, he thought, with Kit, of all people!
    His eyes opened and he saw the barn. The doors were closed, thank God, although there was one kid in the loft getting an eyeful. Polk. The quiet one. He darted back when he saw Logan’s head lift. “Spying on us, the devils,” he murmured against Kit’s temple. “What?” Her soft voice was shaken, beautiful.
    He lifted his head and smiled down at her. “The kids. They’re up in the loft watching us.” She blushed. “Oh, my!”
    His eyes kindled as he studied her. She was vulnerable. Now he knew it, but he didn’t know what to do about it. His whole body ached from the heat of hers.
    “You dress like someone who was raised in a convent,” he said quietly. “But you kiss like a wild woman.”
    “Now you know what kind of night school courses I took year before last!” she said sarcastically, pushing at his chest.
    He let her go, watching her try to get herself together. It amazed him that he could knock the logical, very prim Miss Morris off her pins. It delighted him. Betsy was a woman of the world, but this unique little sparrow wasn’t used to men at all. The contrast was surprising. He found that he much preferred teaching Kit to having Betsy tutor him in what pleased her.
    “Innocence in these confused times is a rare jewel indeed,” he murmured, watching her.
    She glared at him. “My jewel is none of your business,” she muttered. “And how do you know, anyway?” “I don’t,” he agreed. He grinned slowly. “But I could find out in ten minutes flat with a little cooperation,” he added. “How about it?”
    She latched on to what he was suggesting at once. “Mr. Deverell!” She didn’t know whether to gasp or laugh or kick him very hard. She walked on toward the barn without saying anything at all. The barn door opened and all three kids smiled at them with very knowing faces.

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    “Where are the kittens?” Kit asked.
    “Right over here,” Amy volunteered, leading them. “Uh, Polk and Guy and I have to go get cleaned up. We’ll see you later!”
    There was a scurrying sound and the barn door closed, but Kit would have bet her socks that the kids were still inside. She exchanged a glance with Logan, who actually grinned.
    “Aren’t they cute?” she asked, reaching down to pick up a kitten and stroke and caress it.
    “Yes, they’re cute,” he mused, paying much more attention to Kit’s rapt face than the small felines. He knelt beside her and gave the cats equal attention. Nothing else was said for several long minutes.
    “Damn!” came a long-suffering exclamation from Guy, who stood up along with his siblings, cast a disgusted look at the adults and stalked out of the barn. The other two went with him, trying to look both sheepish and angry at the same time.