Free Deadly Race by Margaret Daley Page A

motel before, but some of the flea bag places I’ve had the misfortune of staying at, I think were far worse.” With Slade plastered against her and his breath tingling her cheek, she had a hard time concentrating on what she was trying to say. “Once while on location for a photo shoot, I worked for a man who was so stingy that he put Scrooge to shame. The hotel, that he had everyone but himself booked into, was hardly more than a roof and four walls. Of course, the walls were so thin that I guess you couldn’t even classify the place as having four walls. And the bed bugs were so large I needed a baseball bat to fend them off.”
    “On location? A photo shoot? I thought you were a governess.”
    “Before I became one, I was a model. I liked the money, not the work. I spent a lot of my time fending off more than the bed bugs.”
    “Is that why you changed jobs?”
    “That and I love children. Do you have any children?”
    Again Ellie realized she had inadvertently brought up the wrong subject. His eyes darkened, and he turned away.
    “No. Now, if you have a problem while we’re hiking out of here, tell me. If you want me to slow the pace, let me know. I don’t want to turn around and find you collapsed from exhaustion. The only way we’re going to make it is as a team.” He glanced back at her.
    “I understand perfectly. I’ve never been one for heroics. I’ll leave that to you.”
    He swung around to face her. “Don’t. I’m a survivor, not a hero.”
    “I got a glimpse of your survival instincts today. Where did you learn them?”
    “Would you believe television?” His body went rigid, his hands opening and closing at his side.
    “No.” He had more taboo subjects than anyone she had ever encountered before. He was doing a great job as the man of mystery. “Where did you learn to fly?” she asked, trying another approach.
    “We haven’t gone two steps yet. I think we need to get moving before it gets dark.”
    “It’s not even noon yet.” Just the mention of noon made her stomach rumble.
    “And you’re hungry?”
    “I always eat a big breakfast. That’s the most important meal of the day. What are we going to do about food?”
    “Try not to think too much about it?”
    Her stomach growled again. “I think my stomach has a mind of its own.”
    His laughter rang in the clearing. “I think you have a mind like no one else does. Okay, I was saving this for later, but you’ve convinced me I’d better give it to you now.” He reached down and rummaged through his duffel bag until he produced a thick, mouth watering, chocolate candy bar. Breaking it in half, he gave Ellie her share.
    She tore into the wrapper as if she hadn’t eaten in days instead of hours. “I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
    “You might want to take your time—” he laughed when he saw she had already eaten her portion, “and savor this last bit of civilization. Then again you might want to scoff it down.”
    Her tongue ran over her lips to lick every bit of chocolate off them. “I never was patient when it came to something chocolate.”
    He stared at her mouth for a long moment. “I can see I’m going to have my work cut out for me, keeping you fed.”
    “Oh, no. I’m not hard to please.”
    “That’s good to hear, because we might be lucky to eat one square meal a day.”
    “Well, the bright side is I won’t have to diet when I get back to the States. I pigged out while I was here. I must have gained five pounds.”
    His gaze roamed down her. “All in the right places.”
    She sucked in a deep breath. “I’m sure my stamina will be tested in the next few days.” As well as her resolve, she added silently.
    “It won’t be easy.”
    She knew it wouldn’t be easy to keep from succumbing to his male appeal. All she had to do was look at him and think about what they had shared in the short time they have been together--more than a lot of people in months. “But we’ve come this far.”
    As