Free Against the Rules by Linda Howard Page B

her feet carried her into the room, she wondered at her own obedience to that drowsy voice. He swung his feet to the floor and stood up, his hand going out to close around her wrist and pull her close to him. Before she could guess his intent, his mouth was warm on hers, moving hungrily, demanding her submission. A ripple of unwilling pleasure moved up her spine and her lips parted, allowed him to deepen the kiss.
    â€œLet’s go to bed,” he muttered against her mouth.
    For a moment Cathryn sagged against him, her body more than willing; then awareness snapped her eyes open and she pushed belatedly at his heavy shoulders.
    â€œNow, wait a minute! I’m not going to—”
    â€œI’ve waited long enough,” he interrupted, brushing his lips against hers again.
    â€œThat’s tough! You can just keep on waiting!”
    He laughed wryly, sliding his hands down to her hips and pulling her solidly against the power of his loins, letting her feel his arousal. “That’s my girl. Fight me to the bitter end. Go on up to bed, Cat. I’ve got a lot of work to do before I can turn in.”
    Confused by his dismissal, Cathryn found herself out of the room before she knew what was happening. What was happening? Rule wasn’t a man to deny himself...unless it concerned the ranch. Of course, she told herself in amusement. He had work to do. Everything else could wait. And that was just fine with her!
    She went into the kitchen to tell Lorna good-night, just catching the cook before she went to her own two-rooms-and-a-bath quarters at the rear of the house, converted specifically for her use when Rule had hired her. Then Cathryn climbed the stairs, wincing at the pain in her legs with each step. Another leisurely bath loosened her muscles a bit and she didn’t bother with the liniment, though she knew that she would regret it in the morning.
    After opening the curtains to let in the moonlight, she tossed her robe over the back of the rocking chair that sat placidly in the corner, then turned out the light and crawled into the familiar bed with a sense of homecoming, of belonging. There was no other place on earth where she felt so peaceful and complete, no other place where she was so relaxed.
    But, relaxed or not, she couldn’t sleep. She moved restlessly onto her side, her mind turning inexorably to Rule. So he’d waited long enough, had he? Was there no limit to that natural arrogance of his? If he thought she was going to trot obediently to bed and wait for him...
    Was that what he had meant? Her eyes popped open. Surely not. Not with both Monica and Ricky just down the hall. She tried to remember exactly what he had said. Something about her going on to bed because it would be a while before he could turn in. What did that have to do with her? Nothing. Nothing at all. Unless...unless he meant to come to her later.
    Of course not, she reassured herself. He knew that she wouldn’t let him do that, and he wouldn’t risk raising a ruckus. She closed her eyes again, trying to ignore the nagging thought that Rule would risk anything to get what he wanted.
    She dozed, but came suddenly awake to the knowledge that she wasn’t alone. Quickly she turned her head to see the man standing beside her bed, removing his shirt. Her breath strangled in her throat and her heartbeat accelerated, making her body feel warm and flushed, making the thin nightgown she wore seem suddenly restrictive. She gasped for breath, struggling for words as he shrugged out of his shirt and tossed it aside. The colorless moonlight fell across him, starkly illuminating his lean, muscled torso, but leaving his face concealed in darkness. But she knew him, knew the look and smell and heat of him. Vivid images of a hot summer day and his black outline against the brazen sky as he covered her washed over her, swamping her senses with oddly mingled panic and longing. He had dared, after all.
    â€œWhat are you