Free Fiery Possession by Margaret Tanner

before pooling at his groin. He compressed his lips, fighting to get himself under control. He shouldn’t have come here. Shouldn’t come within a bull’s roar of Jo Saunders.
    Damn Tim for defying his orders to stay away from the dance. He couldn’t trust the boy with pretty, gullible farm girls.
    Maneuvering people with great energy, Jo made sure no girl remained a wallflower. Once their first bout of shyness abated, the young men joined in the dancing with gusto.
    She was being swung around by a suntanned timber cutter when she overbalanced. He made a gallant attempt to catch her, but missed. Another pair of arms clamped liked steel talons around her, saving her from sprawling in an undignified heap on the floor. Glancing up into the face of her rescuer, Jo wished she hadn’t.
    Luke Campton.
    Blood rushed to her head, heat sizzled along her nerve endings.
    “Good evening, Miss Saunders.”
    “Good evening, Mr. Campton.” Even to her own ears, her reply sounded husky, and she fervently hoped he didn’t notice.
    “It must be my turn to dance with you.”
    Before she could refuse, he led her back out amongst the other dancers. For a big man he moved well, executing the various steps with surprising expertise. Yet he didn’t seem the type of man who would indulge in dancing.
    His dark jacket and matching trousers appeared immaculate. A white silk cravat held in place by a ruby stud enhanced his piratical good looks.
    “You’re beautiful.” His warm breath stirred the loose ringlets at the side her throat. “We make a striking couple.”
    The subdued light thrown out from the lanterns softened the harsh planes of his face. The bitter twist to his mouth almost disappeared when he smiled; even the scar seemed less prominent. He was as dangerous as a rattlesnake. She knew this, yet like a moth drawn to a flame that would devour it, she couldn’t resist him, couldn’t stop her body from softening against him, becoming pliant in his arms.
    He must have felt her softening, and his next words confirmed it.
    “That's better, pretty Jo. With the right clothes and jewels, you could be the most beautiful woman in the colony. Let me buy them for you,” he offered in a silky soft voice.
    The moisture in her mouth dried up, making it difficult to swallow. Was he proposing marriage? They hardly new each other and yet she was drawn to him, and instinctively knew he was drawn to her. From the moment they had first met there had been a strong attraction between them. She admired powerful men, but they had to have a tender side and she had not as yet seen this with Luke. Her senses reeled as she desperately fought to get her feelings under control. “Wh…what do you mean?”
    “I want you, Jo. More than any other woman I’ve ever known.”
    “Want! No thank you.” The magic spell shattered into a million pieces. His offer had reduced her to the status of a common whore
    Surprise registered on his face. “You’re the first woman in years to refuse me.”
    “Am I?”
    Her spine stiffened, her head tilted at a proud angle. Wrenching free, she minced across the barn, leaving him standing in the middle of the floor. Several people snickered. She did not need to glance around to know he would be fuming at this public snub.
    All pleasure from the evening disappeared now. Why did he have to come along to spoil things?  Surely nothing worse could happen.
    Tim Campton stepped in front of her.
    “Dance, Miss Saunders?”
    “No thank you.”
    “I asked you to dance.” Intense color flooded his cheeks.
    “I'm not deaf. I said no, thank you.”
    “I'm Tim Campton.” Anger threaded his tone. Obviously this young man didn’t like having his advances rejected.
    “All the more reason why I don't wish to dance with you.”
    A dangerous mistake-- as soon as the words were uttered she realized this. His strange, colorless eyes narrowed to slits and his face contorted. His evil laugh sent shivers down her spine.
    “So be it.” He