Free Paradise Wild by Johanna Lindsey Page A

threat, Mr. Burk? Are you implying that you will make it known?”
    “I wouldn’t dream of tarnishing your good name,” Jared assured her.
    “But you feel that I am doing so by coming here?”When he shrugged, she continued angrily. “No one knows me here, Mr. Burk. And if someone did, they would say nothing out of respect for my father.”
    “But you take that risk?”
    “I come here to gamble. I gamble in that respect as well. Besides, it’s really none of your business, is it?”
    Jared acquiesced with a slight nod. “I will say no more. But I still offer you a ride home.” When she started to refuse him again, he added, “Once I leave, Miss Barrows, you will be swarmed by gentlemen wanting to make the acquaintance of a beautiful woman whom they will presume is alone. There is no need to put yourself through that.”
    “I can take care of myself,” she said, her proud nose rising in the air.
    “Forgive me. I only assumed you wouldn’t want that kind of attention. Perhaps I was wrong.”
    He was utterly infuriating.
    “I don’t relish being bothered, Mr. Burk. I just feel I should wait for Russell.”
    “Why?” he asked pointedly. “He’s not even aware that you are waiting.” Then he conceded graciously, “Though I’m sure he would come to you if he were aware of it.” She knew he didn’t mean it.
    “Is it my presence that is stopping you from accepting my offer?” Jared suggested in a soft tone. “You’re not afraid to be alone with me again, are you?”
    “Certainly not!”
    “Well, then?”
    Corinne looked at her empty glass. She had convinced herself earlier that she had nothing to fear from this man, so why was she hesitating?
    “Very well,” she smiled agreeably. “If you will just give me a few minutes to tell Russell that I’m leaving.”
    “Is that really necessary?”
    “Why, Mr. Burk,” Corinne teased lightly. “You wouldn’t want my fiancé to think I had deserted him?” She leaned closer and whispered, “He might think I’ve gone upstairs, and then cause quite a scene looking for me.”
    Corinne laughed softly at the startled look on Jared’s face before she moved to Russell’s table. Let Jared Burk think whatever he wanted, she didn’t care for his opinion anyway. And it had been such a pleasure to shock him, to see that arrogant look leave his face for a moment! She felt much better now.
    She waited patiently for Russell to finish his hand before she attracted his attention. He was reluctant to leave his table, but he came to her anyway.
    “Russell, dear, I didn’t want to interrupt you and take you away from your game, but it would be remiss of me not to tell you that I’m leaving.”
    “Leaving? Why?”
    “I lost my money rather quickly.”
    Russell looked back at his own winnings. “I can’t leave yet, Corinne. My luck’s been too good tonight. If you need some more money—”
    “No, Russell, you know I never borrow from you. Besides, I am rather tired. And you needn’t leave your game. Mr. Burk has kindly offered to take me home.”
    “Burk is here?” Russell frowned, and looked about the room, spotting Jared waiting at the bar. “I don’t like that man, Corinne. He seems too much the adventurous type to me, or more like a mercenary.”
    “Don’t be ridiculous, Russell,” Corinne scoffed. “He may give the impression that he’s ruthless, but he’s perfectly harmless. And he is going to be a partner of mine very soon. Father feels we need his money, so I can’t very well be rude to him, now can I?”
    Russell looked back at his winnings once again, an avaricious gleam in his dark gray eyes. “I suppose not. But do be careful, Corinne.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I know how you flirt when the mood suits you. I wouldn’t trifle with Burk if I were you.”
    She ignored his warning. “It’s strictly a business relationship, Russell, no more.”
    The enclosed carriage Corinne found herself in was not quite so large as the one Jared had