Free Heaven Sent the Wrong One by VJ Dunraven

Level it with the stock and straighten the barrel—or you'll miss the target."
    Alexandra did not reply, but she grudgingly accepted his advice and lowered the barrel a notch, then re-checked her sight.
    "That's better," Andrew whispered, in a voice that soothed her dented aplomb.
    She released the safety lock and pulled the trigger.
    The target rattled.
    The man in charge ran up to conduct an inspection.
    He grinned and gave her a thumb up sign.
    Her bullet had successfully clipped half of the red dot.
    The women cheered, chattering noisily in excitement.
    "Not bad," Andrew said, as the used target was removed in place of a new one.
    "Be ready to wear a rose in your hair," she chaffed saucily, touching the fragrant bloom above her ear.
    "Thank you, but no," he moved closer, peering at her with those gorgeous green eyes. "I'd rather kiss you—with or without an audience," he traced the outline of her lips with a forefinger.
    Alexandra trembled at his touch. Her surroundings blurred as her senses res ponded to the man in front of her. Win or lose, she'd rather kiss him—in fact, she wanted him to do it now—to hell with the contest!
    "Ahoy, my lord!" A man yelled from the crowd. "It ain't time for the prize yet!"
    Good-natured heckling and laughter followed his comment.
    Andrew chuckled, deep dimples etched on his cheeks as he tapped the tip of her nose with his forefinger, before he turned to pick up the rifle from his table.
    Alexandra watched as he expertly maneuvered the weapon into the correct position, checking the sight for not more than two seconds before pulling the trigger.
    The audience went still.
    The man in charge rushed to the easel and inspected the target. He uttered a curse and shook his head.
    Absolute silence descended on the tent.
    "My lord," the man swiveled around, holding the target up, eyes wide with amazement. "Your shot— it is perfect!"
    The crowd, including the women, whistled, and cheered, a number of them sauntering towards the man in charge to inspect the bullet's exit for themselves. Several men came up to congratulate Andrew and expressed their respect for Alexandra's talents.
    "Well, I think it's time I claim my prize," Andrew said as the people milling about them thinned.
    "Here?" Alexandra glanced around, unnerved. It was a very public place.
    Andrew followed her gaze and acquiesced. "Alright. Perhaps later —but I must warn you. I expect payment with interest."
    Alexandra felt the heat rush to her cheeks. She could not say no to something she had initiated in the first place. As the loser, she owed him a kiss. And as for the interest—
    "What kind of interest?" She asked warily.
    He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, a fiery glint in his glorious green eyes.
    Alexandra waited with bated breath, conscious of the hard planes of his muscles and the maddening aroma of cedar with a hint of mint, clinging to his skin.
    "I want you," he took one of her hands that she had unconsciously laid on his broad chest and kissed the pulse hammering erratically on her wrist.
    Alexandra followed his movement with her eyes and met his gaze. Her heart had lost its rhythm and her belly tingled with a warm rush that inflamed the feminine softness between her legs.
    "You want—m-me?" She squeaked, though she'd heard him clearly and understood exactly what he was asking.
    "U-hum," his expression sobered and she recognized the flare of desire in his eyes, in the set of his mouth and the slight furrow on his brow.
    She knew it would come to this. The unmistakable physical attraction between them was apparent from the very beginning. Those stolen kisses were never unintentional. Both of them were well aware where those kisses would eventually lead, but were powerless to rein in their passion, much less prevent their growing desire for each other.
    Alexandra knew the gravity of taking the next step, but it was not too late for her to refuse. She could hold her ground and rebuff him. Forget