Free Forces of Nature by Cheris Hodges Page B

nice to people,” he said. “Why do you think I’m such a monster? I’m just a businessman.”
    â€œWho wants to monopolize this town and county,” she shot back. “And why? How can you look at this place and think it would be better served as a business park? What about the beauty of the land and what it means to these girls?”
    Turning his back to her and running his finger across a cornstalk, Douglas said, “Why are you making this personal? It’s a standard business deal. Something that my company and I do all the time.”
    â€œCan you hand me those cabbages over there?” she asked, ignoring his last comment.
    â€œChanging the subject?” Douglas closed the space between them and pulled her into his arms. “This doesn’t have to be painful.”
    â€œBut it is. This isn’t just about me and my family’s legacy, it’s about the community in general. This place is one step away from being Welcoville and you know it.”
    Shrugging his shoulders, he passed her the vegetables. “Who else is trying to turn this rural place into a viable city? Crystal, people are suffering here. They need jobs and money and Welco is just stepping up to the plate and giving the people what they need.”
    â€œPeople need more than money and jobs; they need to know someone cares about them.” She pressed her hand against his chest, attempting to push away from him. But Douglas grabbed her hand and kissed it.
    Unable to pull away, she fell against his body and their lips brushed against one another’s. Douglas capitalized on the rare opportunity to kiss her as he captured her lips, savoring the sweet taste of her mouth. He expected her to fight him, but to his surprise she melted against him. Their bodies fit together as if they were destined to be one. He roamed his hands up and down her back, feeling every luscious curve as he glided down her hips. A soft moan escaped his throat as the kiss became deeper, wetter, and hotter—until Crystal pulled away.
    â€œThis is so wrong,” she said, freeing herself from his embrace.
    Douglas reached out and grabbed her arm, “Crystal, you want me just as much as I want you.”
    Wiping her hand across her face, Crystal snatched away from Douglas and returned to the house. As he watched her walk away, he fingered his lips, reliving the searing kiss he shared with her. He made up his mind to have her, no matter what.

    Crystal wished she could explain away her attraction to Douglas Wellington. She knew this man wanted to take her land away and would probably sleep with her to do it. This is crazy! Why am I letting this man get to me? she thought as she poured herself a glass of water, hoping that it would cool the fire burning inside her body. Slowly she sipped the liquid, but her mind couldn’t get past the sensation of Douglas’s lips against hers, his hands all over her body. The back door opened and as Douglas appeared in front of her, she dropped her glass.
    Bending down to scoop up the broken glass, she asked, “What are you doing in here?”
    Douglas knelt down and took the sharp glass from her hand. “I need towels and an extra blanket. I guess I should have knocked.”
    â€œYou think?” she snapped.
    Douglas seemed to ignore her attitude as he walked over to the trash can and dumped the shards of glass in it. “So, what do you have planned for dinner?”
    Crystal folded her arms across her chest and eyed him incredulously. “Whatever my plans are, they don’t include you.”
    â€œHow am I going to see the majesty of this farm if you keep me tucked away in that little dollhouse? I want to taste the fresh veggies and whatever else you grow here.” A smile spread across his face as if he wanted to say something else, but restrained himself.
    Crystal returned his smile with a wry one. “Fine. If you want majesty, then we can have dinner at