Free The Courtship of Dani by Ginna Gray

original plan for a quick seduction followed by a leisurely affair had been replaced with a more cautious approach. He wanted to give her time to get to know him. To feel comfortable with him. The last thing he wanted was to scare her away. Or to hurt her , a small voice deep inside whispered.
    Tiredly Jason climbed from the car and slammed the door. With his eyes still fixed on the lighted window, he raked a hand through his thick shock of golden hair and slung his suit coat over his shoulder, holding it by one crooked finger as he started for the front entrance.
    Inside, Jason punched the button for the elevator, but when the doors failed to open immediately he started up the carpeted stairs, impatiently taking them two at a time. Just as he rounded the landing between the second and third floors he heard Dani's voice. Her words were indistinguishable, but something in her tone make the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. Jason cleared the final flight of stairs in three giant leaps and sprinted down the hall, his heart pounding.
    He came to a skidding halt in the open doorway of Dani's office just as she broke free of Lewis Manders's hold and scuttled back behind the desk chair. Jason stood there, his chest heaving, a burning rage welling up inside him as he took in the scene. Through the red mist of fury he heard Dani's warning, and Lewis's menacing reply, and when the man took a step toward her Jason's hard voice cracked out like a whip, halting him in his tracks.
    "Touch her again, Manders, and you'll regret it for the rest of your days. I guarantee it."
    Both Dani and Lewis jumped, their heads snapping around toward the sound.
    "Jason!" Dani breathed his name with heartfelt relief, then slowly closed her eyes, her shoulders drooping as her fingers gripped the back of the chair even tighter for support.
    Jason crossed the room in three long strides and slipped an arm around her waist. When she slumped against him he pulled her close, wrapping her tightly in his embrace. Over the top of Dani's head his dark eyes impaled Lewis.
    "Get out, Manders, while you still can."
    "This is none of your concern, St. Clair. This is between Dani and me. We—"
    "I said out."
    The curt command penetrated Lewis's alcohol clouded brain, and anger and uncertainty chased across his face. Then as his gaze slid over Dani, huddled in Jason's arms, a sneering grin curved his mouth. "Oh, I see. It's like that, is it?" he drawled nastily. "Little Dani has found herself a bigger catch."
    "Manders—"
    "All right, all right. I'm going." Spurred into action by the warning tone, Lewis started to move.
    "And Lewis." Jason stopped him just as he reached the door. His gravelly voice was low and menacing... and deadly serious. "I'm warning you. If you ever touch Dani again, I'll take great pleasure in breaking every small, vital bone in your body."

Chapter 5
    She trembled within his embrace and Jason's arms tightened around her. "He's gone now, Dani," he said softly against the top of her head.
    Dani made no response—merely clung to him, her face buried against his chest. After a moment, staring blindly out the window at the lights dotting the factory yard, Jason began to rock her gently back and forth.
    The welter of emotions that swirled within Jason made his chest so tight it hurt. Rage and fear were all mixed up with a fierce need to protect and comfort, to cherish and love. Damn Lewis! How dare he put his hands on her. I should have smashed his handsome face in for what he tried to do, he thought in a fresh burst of fury, unconsciously tightening his hold even more.
    Jason lowered his head and rubbed his jaw against the silky hair at Dani's temple as his big hand stroked soothingly over her back. She felt so soft in his arms, so delicately made, so warm. So right.
    At last Dani stirred and Jason grew still. When she made no effort to pull away, he forced his hand between them and tipped her head up. She met his inquiring gaze hesitantly,