Free Eden's Sin by Jennifer Jakes

heady scent of warm, willing woman filled his senses. She felt good, right. So right. Her breasts flattened against his chest, bare arms caught between their bodies. Her lips parted, her breath caught, and he lowered his head, ready to taste what he'd wanted for hours.
    His mo uth brushed hers, once, twice … Christ, she tasted sweet. Like cinnamon and apples, like honey. Like nothing he’d ever tasted before.
    “ Oh, yes.” Her soft sigh was enough to make his heart kick. Heat flooded his veins, and a pounding started in his ears, as if he was coming alive for the first time in years.
    No . This didn’t mean anything. This was her profession. This was just sex.
    He pulled her closer, sliding one hand into her thick, silky hair, the other cupping her jaw, encouraging her to kiss him. Hell, he should stop. This was a bad idea, but surrender would be so easy, so enjoyable. They could enjoy a few nights until he had to return to Fort Hayes.
    He deepened the kiss, su cking her tongue into his mouth, biting her lip, pulling her body tight against his, letting her feel his erection against her belly. He slid one hand down her back, pressing her against him, her ass firm in his palm. Hell, yes. So much to enjoy.
    She moaned , the low, throaty sound hardening his cock even more. She swiped his tongue with hers, hot, quick flicks, and flattened her palm against his chest, caressing, stroking. Moaning.
    Pushing.
    She backed out of his arms. “You—you should go.” Her breath came in soft pants, her eyes wide. She turned and gathered their empty glasses with shaky hands. “I appreciate the fact you’re willing to help find Mary Rose's attacker. So…thank you.”
    She turned her back and stood stiff at the sink.
    Oh, no. Hell, no . He knew when he was being dismissed. But he also knew what this was about.
    “ I don’t expect sex for free in return for hunting Mary’s rapist. I’m willing to pay your going rate.” Hell, he’d pay double to have her.
    Sh e whirled around, eyes wide and filled with hurt. “What?” The words were nothing more than a strangled whisper.
    “ I’ll pay you for your time.” He held out his hand. “Name your price.”
    She backed away, slowly shaking her head. “Get out.”
    “ But—”
    “ Just leave.” A tear leaked from the corner of her eye.
    He reached for her again. Why was she upset? What the hell had he done? Nothing. He’d been more than fair with his offer—and he knew she was attracted to him. He’d been with enough whores to know when they pretended and when they didn’t.
    “ Eden…”
    “ Major, if you don’t go, I’m going to call for Alice.”
    Damn. She was mad. She stood staring at—or through him—he wasn’t sure. Her face was a void mask.
    “ Fine, I’ll go.” Let her be stubborn. He wasn’t going to waste any time trying to figure out women. All they did was make a man crazy, and he had enough to do in Ladore without being distracted by a woman. He stepped through the door onto the back porch. “Lock up behind me. Take the shotgun to your room in case Len comes back.”
    She shook her head. “I keep a pistol under my mattress. You’d do well to remember that.”
    Now she was threatening him? He whirled on his heel. “I don’t know what made you so damned angry, lady, but don’t insult me. I would never hurt or force myself on a woman. I have more respect than that. Perhaps you should try to find some respect for yourself and stop blaming men for what’s happened to you.” And hell no, he wasn’t going to examine the fact he hadn’t found self-respect since Coreena. This wasn’t about his faults. Not tonight anyway.
    Her expression fell, fresh tears shining in her eyes. Damn it. He turned unwilling to see her pain. He couldn’t take anymore guilt, he just couldn’t.
    “Sinclair, wait?” The soft sound of his name on her lips brushed over his skin like silk. He stopped, then stepped back onto the porch. She gazed up at him, the look so