Free Callahan's Gold (Southwest Desert Series Book 3) by Mary Tate Engels Page B

him, her blue eyes sincere and warm. She felt no fear, not even the deep resentment she'd exhibited in the past few days. Confidence and admiration replaced everything else.
    He was momentarily caught in her gaze. Breathing in deeply, he tried to displace his frustration. "I wish I could say the same about us, Tory, that we're completely safe."
    "I feel very safe with you, Dodge."
    "Even after this?" He gestured over the mess.
    "Yes. He—or whoever—is obviously after the map and waited in both cases until no one was home. He isn't out to harm us, only to steal the key to the gold."
    "Besides, I've got the gun."
    She shuddered. "But I trust you wouldn't use it unless absolutely necessary. For some crazy reason, I trust my feelings about you, Dodge." She smiled breathlessly. They stood exceedingly close, not touching but exuding an attraction that was nearly tangible. And strongly magnetic, pulling them together.
    "Maybe you trust these feelings," he said softly, running a single tanned rough finger over her smooth cheek, "but I don't. They're dangerous. But exciting and. . ."
    She breathed through slightly parted lips as he moved slowly to take her in his arms. One hand reached around her neck, long fingers splayed in the wispy blue black hair at her nape. His other hand closed over her shoulder, then eased down the stretch of her back. The chasm between them narrowed until their breathing intermingled and his lips descended to hers. His mustache was like a feather, brushing and teasing her skin while his lips melded with hers. He sipped as if she tasted of sweet wine.
    Tory poured herself out to him, giving and at the same time receiving. She opened her lips to take the strength of his tongue, symbol of his masculine life and power.
    She needed his rugged kind of power, needed a man like Dodge to take her in his arms and bring her to the brink of her passion. She swayed eagerly against his lean hardness and thrilled as his hand caressed the length of her back, ever pressing her to him, tracing the gentle curves of her hips.
    Suddenly, his hold on her gentled, and the hand at her waist pushed them apart. "Tory, sorry I—"
    "Don't apologize. I ... it was me, Dodge."
    Her eyes had darkened to the color of thunder-clouds, and he found her exciting and vital. His response to her had been immediate and intense, and he knew he wanted her in a purely sexual way. But she didn't belong to him, wasn't his type. And obviously, he wasn't hers.
    "I'd like to say this won't happen again, but when I look into your eyes, I seem to lose control," Dodge admitted, his smile slightly askew. "I'll have to work on that."
    "We'll both have to work on it," she said softly. She couldn't help admiring his honesty and knew in her heart she didn't regret the kiss one bit.
    "Your eyes are a beautiful shade of blue," he continued as if in a momentary trance. "Deep blue. They remind me of Sharkey's. They were trusting eyes, maybe too much so. Do you trust too easily, Tory?"
    "Probably."
    "You should be careful who you trust."
    Dodge's hands were still on her, and she felt the strength and magnetism of the man. Her mind whirled at his words, her body ached with desire, and she tried to think straight. "Does that include you, Dodge?"
    "Yes."
    "I find that hard to believe. My father trusted you and I guess I want to, also. Right now, though, I only see you and me together. And what's happening to us. And I'm afraid it's happening too fast."
    He nodded briskly and let his hands drop to his sides. "You're right, Tory. This is crazy . . ."
    Suddenly, she smiled with a twinkle in those intent blue eyes. "According to what was said the other day at the saloon, we don't even like each other."
    He chuckled. "Yeah. You aren't my type, city lady."
    "Nor you, mine, cowboy." She tapped the front of his shirt, then self-consciously dropped her hand before she could succumb to touching him more. "Well, that's over. So much for lust."
    "And now I know how you feel when I