Free The Rebel by J.R. Ward

they were terrific. Long, muscled from physical labor, with smooth skin. Hewondered why she hid them under those god-awful black pants.
    Hell, maybe it was so guys like him wouldn’t hit on her. Which was what he’d been working up to when they’d been alone with all that produce.
    It would explain her glasses, too.
    Staying in the shadow of the barn, he watched her go over to a push mower and hike up her sleeves. She confronted the piece of equipment like she was taking on an animal she was hell-bent on training, and her mouth was moving, as if she were talking to the thing. He was more than willing to bet, if the mower hadn’t been an inanimate object, it would have snapped to attention and done just as she’d asked.
    Nate shook his head and leaned back against the doorjamb. He’d been on the verge of kissing her in that walk-in. The only thing that had stopped him was the danger that George or Joy could have barged in at any moment. And a deep freeze wasn’t exactly the best place to make love.
    Not for a couple’s first time, at any rate.
    Nate frowned, remembering a couple of employers or supervisors he’d been with in the past. Maybe hitting on Frankie wasn’t such a good idea. White Caps was a small enterprise. And even if he was only staying two months, sixty days could feel like a lifetime under the wrong circumstances.
    Frankie bent over the mower, adjusting the blade. As his eyes traveled from her ankles up to her thighsand over her hips, he shifted his weight impatiently and felt like cursing.
    Sure it was probably better if he left her alone. But she did crazy things to his body and he was just the kind of meathead who’d give up an opportunity to be sensible in favor of having even one night alone with a woman like her.
    He knew damn well he was going to end up asking her out. Kissing her. Hopefully, taking things even further. He was sure she was attracted to him. He could see it in her eyes. And he definitely wanted her. So there was absolutely no harm in two adults having some fun.
    No harm, no foul. Just a little summer affair.
    Nate winced and wondered why an ache had settled in his chest.
    Ah, hell. He knew why. Frankie wasn’t like the other women he’d fallen into bed with, he thought as he rubbed his sternum. She didn’t parade around, looking for attention from men. In fact, all the signals she sent out were of the lay-off variety and he didn’t think it was just him. She didn’t seem to flirt with the male guests, either.
    Although Mr. Little wasn’t exactly tall, dark and handsome, granted.
    Nate dropped his hand.
    He hoped his conscience wasn’t going to ruin what could be a terrific time between the sheets.
    She started pushing and he frowned, measuringthe size of the lawn around White Caps. He couldn’t believe she was going to do the whole thing by herself, and then thought, of course she’d do it alone. He was tempted to go right over to her, but figured he’d give her a little time to wear herself out. He knew she’d wait until she was half dead before she’d accept help. And even then it would be under stinging protest.
    Man, he liked her.
    Nate went up to his bedroom, unpacked, threw some clothes in the wash and then headed out to the lawn. She’d made it all the way through the side lawn and was about to tackle the grass that ran down to the lakeshore.
    He walked up to her. “Hey.”
    She stopped mowing and regarded him as coolly as someone sweating and panting could.
    â€œYou need some help?” He smiled as she shook her head. “I didn’t think so. How about I phrase it like this. I like to mow lawns. I’d like to mow this one. How can you stand in the way of my dream?”
    She wiped her forearm across her brow. “Shouldn’t you be in the kitchen?”
    â€œDaily prep is done. I’ve got everything under control in there right now.” He eyed the sun,