Free The Men of Pride County: The Pretender by Rosalyn West Page A

that’s to be expected.”
    At the mention of her discomfort, the air of remoteness ebbed. His knuckles brushed her cheek. “I was worried.”
    Humbled by his honest admission, she gave a shaky smile. “It’s scary. I’ve had spells for years, but they never fail to frighten my father witless.”
    “You said he had breathing troubles, too. This same sort of thing?”
    She nodded.
    “And there’s no name for it? No cure?”
    She shrugged philosophically. “The steam helps, so do some of the local folk remedies. It’s worse in the winter when it’s cold, or when I getvery upset about something.” She avoided his intent stare, focusing instead upon the light thatch of hair escaping the opening of his long johns.
    “You’ve had a rough couple of days,” he agreed. “Good thing I’ll be leaving so you can get back to your normal pace.”
    “Good thing.” Her voice trembled. She didn’t think it was a good thing at all.
    She held her breath as his hand slipped beneath her chin to tilt her head up, forcing her gaze to return to his.
    “I have to go.”
    Was it her he was trying to convince, or himself?
    “I know you do.”
    “Is there anything you need before I leave?”
    She could think of several things, actually. She nudged her cheek into his palm, feeling his fingers widen to cup the side of her face. “This is nice,” she said softly.
    He didn’t answer, but he didn’t withdraw his hand, either. She felt his muscles tighten as her palm traveled up his arm, then heard his sharp inhalation as it glided across the sculpted terrain of his chest. The hard beat of his heart made her think of the campaign drum he followed … and would follow again once he left her bed.
    But would he have to leave her life forever?
    Give him a reason to return .
    Because she couldn’t comfortably phrase her wants in words, she stretched up to touch herlips to his. His remained cool and unresponsive, so she pulled away in sudden shame. He regarded her unblinkingly, his gaze unreadable.
    Had she read his interest wrong?
    “I’m sorry,” she blurted out, hot with humiliation. “I didn’t mean to obligate you—”
    He shushed her awkward speech with the press of his fingertips. “No, I’m sorry. A gentleman should never place a lady in such a compromising position.”
    Her gaze rose to his, wide and innocent in its appeal. “Even when she wants him to?”
    A flicker of need crossed his steady stare, an expression so surprisingly revealing, she could read it as easily as her own heart. She saw loneliness in that stark and hungry gaze, a need for companionship as deep and fierce as her own. It was something neither of them would have acted upon had the circumstance been different. But at this moment, in this place, the time felt so very right.
    Her eyes drifted shut in anticipation as he bent to kiss her.

Chapter 6
    J ust a kiss …
    He should have known the moment her soft lips parted beneath his that it would be more than just that.
    Much more.
    At her invitation, he slipped his tongue inside to taste the sweetness of her offer. She stiffened slightly, whether in shock or surprise it soon didn’t matter, not when she was ripe for new experiences. She opened wider. And when her own tongue danced silkily around his, Deacon knew he was lost. Purpose faded. There was nothing beyond this warm, willing creature who sought so eagerly to fulfill what had been missing within him for so very long.
    One kiss chased another, each varying in expression and design. This one a deep plunging hunger, the next a tender nibble, then a wet tangle that encouraged their hands into play. Her fingers raked through his hair, shifting, kneading, finally fisting as desire shiveredthrough her, hot and out of control. His palms slid down the undersides of her arms, revolving slowly to encompass and reverently claim the fullness of her breasts. Such lush, tempting bounty. His head dipped down. His mouth fastened over one pebbled peak. Even through