Free An Outback Affair/Runaway Wife/Outback Bridegroom/Outback Surrender/Home To Eden by Margaret Way Page A

yourself. Possibly you’ve allowed yourself to be brainwashed. Is the boyfriend a fitness freak?”
    She grimaced a little. “Yes, but he doesn’t have a black belt.” Otherwise he might have killed me.
    â€œI do,” he said casually. “I was always interested in the martial arts. I like the discipline, austerity, mastering difficult techniques and working on the concentration that’s needed. Overall it’s a great feeling of achievement. In my early days one of my workout partners was a young girl. I was terrifiedI would hurt her. She was tiny. Like you. By the end of the class I had nothing but respect for her. She was a whirlpool of energy. I know I left the class pretty sore.”
    â€œCan you teach me?” Suddenly she was presented with an idea.
    â€œI’d rather not.” He didn’t want to get too physically close to her for any number of reasons. Number one being his strong sexual attraction to her. He couldn’t do a damned thing about it. Little Miss Graham was way off-limits.
    â€œThat’s the first mean thing you’ve said.”
    â€œLaura, I could scarcely bear to hurt you,” he groaned. Didn’t she know how she looked? So fragile, so graceful in her movements. It was the last thing he wanted but he felt a sharp stab of desire.
    â€œMay I remind you of your little sparring partner?”
    â€œShe’d long been in training,” he clipped off. “You might feel very differently if you were to go flying through the air. Falls can be very painful.”
    â€œThen can you show me a few moves?” Her fear of Colin had been greatly compounded by his physical superiority. Would he have been so free with his hands had she been able to strike back?
    He pressed a hand to his strong jawline. “I’ll think about it. Demons are in your head, Laura,” he told her ruefully. “You can vanquish them using mind control.”
    â€œI’d feel better if you could show me a few defensive moves.”
    He stared down at her, vaguely astonished. He couldn’t handle the thought of hurting her.
    â€œYou’d show a younger sister, wouldn’t you?” she challenged, green eyes sparkling. “Or your favourite female cousin?”
    â€œLet me think about it, Laura,” he replied.
    â€œI used to study ballet, you know,” she offered, as if that would help.
    â€œThat’s a hell of a start.”
    â€œBallet dancers are very strong and athletic. I was verygood, but I had to stop when I was about fourteen. I didn’t have the time with my music.”
    Her appearance was even at odds with her piano-playing, though he knew size could be deceptive. The one time they had shaken hands her fingers had been long, delicate, but they had to be strong.
    â€œBy the way, its no problem to get you access to the town’s grand piano,” he said, knowing how much a musician needed constant contact with their chosen instrument. “It was a gift from the McQueen family. No second-rate instrument. A Steinway.”
    â€œGood grief, how generous.” She stood a foot away, petals of colour in her magnolia cheeks.
    â€œYes, indeed,” he agreed dryly. “Sing out when you’re ready. For now, let’s tackle the kitchen. I’ll help you unpack those boxes.”
    â€œEvan, you’ve been so kind. I can finish up.”
    â€œI’ll get things out of the boxes for you. You won’t want them in your way. And I’ll get them back to Zack. This is going to be quite pretty, actually.” He looked about. “A doll’s house for a French doll.”
    â€œWho’s going to learn karate!” She struck a little pose, clean, balletic, extremely beautiful.
    â€œI ask myself, how did I get myself into this?”
    â€œStop puzzling over it. Maybe it was meant to be. Can you shoot?”
    â€œI hate guns,” he said harshly.
    â€œThen you’re used to them.