Free Tempting the Ringmaster by Aleah Barley Page A

idea. She did not belong with this man.
    He was a cop—for goodness sakes—a fine upstanding policeman with a family and a place in the community. She was only in town for two weeks—at the most—and then the circus was heading off to greener pastures… Wherever that might be.
    They didn’t belong on a date together. They didn’t even belong on the same planet together. They came from two different worlds, and that’s where they belonged.
    And if Graham’s touch sent a sizzle down her spine unlike anything she’d ever felt? It was probably just a result of too many hormones and too little sex. She’d have the same reaction to any stud with high cheekbones, a determined jaw, and pale blue eyes that seemed to pierce her soul.
    Nothing to worry about.
    It was only ever supposed to be one night.
    Tomorrow, she’d find someone else to make out with, someone more her speed, someone she wouldn’t leave behind when the circus made its next jump.
    Someone like Blue, the circus’s fire breather and safety chief, he was totally hot. She’d always thought of him more like a brother—or a relatively close cousin—then a potential life partner, but things could change.
    She mentally drew up a picture of the safety chief; tall and handsome, with the kind of broad shoulders that would make most women swoon. She tried to picture herself kissing him.
    Okay, not Blue, but there had to be someone else. Anyone else.
    And then Graham Tyler did something completely unimaginable; he kissed her. His mouth moved hot against her lips as his hands gripped her hips and pulled her in tight. Her knees went week and all thoughts of finding another man evaporated into thin air.
    She didn’t want anyone else.
    She wanted Graham.
    “Everything’s going to be alright,” he promised, and for one long moment she actually believed him.
    The rumble of a truck on the road interrupted their kisses. The vehicle parked back near Graham’s patrol car, and Frank got out. The old man grumbled to himself as he moseyed down into the yard, nattering on about fool circus owners who couldn’t tell the difference between cows and elephants.
    Then he saw Tiny.
    “Damn.” He put a hand to his head, adjusting his old woolen watch cap. “She got a name?”
    “I’ve been calling her Tiny.” Belle separated herself from Graham before the lot manager could see them together. “She seems to like azaleas.”
    “I don’t suppose she’ll fit in my truck,” Frank said. “But I’ve got some carrots in the back. You know if she’s trained?”
    “She dances on command.”
    “Good, then I can tell you what to say to coax her along back to the circus.” Frank turned slightly towards Graham. “We’ve got it all covered. You can go.”
    “Right.” The police chief shifted back and forth uncomfortably, like a school boy breaking in new shoes. He looked down at Belle, his lips turning into a slight frown like he wanted to say something—or do something—but he wasn’t sure how. “I’ll see you again soon?”
    “Ha!” Frank laughed. “Vacation’s over. We’ve got a show to put on tomorrow. No more lollygagging and flitting off for fancy dinners. It’s time to get back to work.”
    The old man was right. It was time to say goodbye to Graham Tyler and his breath stopping kisses. Belle had things to do, promises to keep, and elephants to handle. “It was a wonderful night.”
    Graham nodded, and a moment later he was gone.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Five
     
     
    “Step right up! Step right up! Ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys!” The circus’s barker roared. “Children of all ages! Get your tickets now to see the most marvelous show on earth. Barnaby—I mean—Belle Black’s Black Shadow Circus.”
    The big man pirouetted through the crowd in a pair of slinky yellow pants and a matching pinstriped vest. The hat perched on top of his head tumbled off every so often, but it never reached the ground as he skillfully manipulated it